Bartender Careers

How To Become A Bartender

2010-04-07T23:47:00.001+08:00

by tom c.
Gather.com Articles

One of the more interesting jobs an individual can ever have is that of a bartender, and a person desiring to become a bartender has a number of career paths that are available to gain employment in the field. In it's most basic of incarnations as a career, a bartender can simply be the person pouring draft beers and shots of liquor in a blue-collar tavern. At the the pinnacle of the occupation is the bartender that is truly a mixologist, serving drinks at a top-notch establishment to the most discriminating clientele. While the first example requires little training to become a bartender, the second requires extensive training and knowledge of drink recipes in order to gain employment.

To become a bartender skills must be learned through some sort of comprehensive training designed to teach the finer aspects of the food and beverage industry. While a bartender serves and mixes drinks for a living, it is not their only duty as bartenders usually order liquor, handle cash at the point of sale and balance and account for receipts. Added to this, a successful bartender has to present a certain demeanor that is aimed specifically toward good customer service, have a thick-skin, and be able to handle the occasional intoxicated patron in a compassionate but firm manner. All of these skills can be learned by attending a bartending course in the local community, and there are even some courses available online. While the duration of these bartending courses vary from a few days to a few months, they are critical to complete for an individual that hopes to become a bartender.

In addition to formal training to become a bartender, the career demands a certain amount of continuing education to achieve constant professional growth and improve employment opportunities. There are literally thousands of mixed drink recipes already created, with hundreds more new ones becoming popular every year and a bartender has to keep up to date on what customers may want.

Once a person feels that they possess the knowledge and skill to become a bartender they can test the job market by making the rounds submitting employment applications. In addition to bars and taverns, bartenders are in demand at hotels, clubs, party centers and golf courses so there should be no shortage of possible employers. While some of the employment opportunities are only part time, these jobs are still a great way for someone that wants to be a bartender to get their feet wet in the career.

Get some bartender training

2010-03-31T22:39:00.002+08:00

you can learn each and every details of bartending profession online and can be an expert of this. Do not need to go to any institution and any other oraganisation just click once on this site and you

http://bartending.com can help you the most if you really want to have some bartending training and if you really interested in bartending. Drink is a very common essentiality as far as any social gathering is concerned. Guests really prefer talking with a cup of coffee or any other beverages. There is no doubt about the fact that non alcoholic drinks are the most easiest to serve in numerous social gathering. This is the best among all the online bartending schools. Here with the experts you can learn the very tiny facts behind the profession of bartending. Just join the community and forums of this site so that you can learn bartending without any huge effort. There are numerous bartending schools over the internet. This is such a nice and interesting facility that one can have from the very home and can be a professional bar tender with the lessons and discussions that this site publishes. There are lot of recipes and details of drinks that you can find on this site.
Even you can submit your resume in to this site so that the tycoons of this industry can be attracted and hire you. You can also find a wide scope in bartending if you give your details on this site. Numerous people hire bar tenders for any social gathering or any family parties. They can have the contact details and can have an easy access and hire you. This is really an amazing facility for both the bartender as well as the host. Just into this site to get numerous bar tending tricks and learn bar tending to become the best bar tender. There is an ample scope of bartenders in this fast life.

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A woman bartender: Mixing the heady cocktail of her choice

2010-03-08T21:42:00.001+08:00

Neha Dewan, ET Bureau

By her own admission, this is a ‘unique profession.’ But she wouldn’t have it any other way. For 27-year-old Dhanashree Punekar, bartending has been nothing short of a heady cocktail, quite literally!

Hailing from a Maharashtrian middle-class family, Punekar describes her four-year-old bartender stint as a ‘happy’ one. "I worked as a chef earlier but realised that it was not what I wanted to do. I did a six-months course from the Stir Academy of Bartending and never looked back. I have been freelancing at events and parties," she says, the enthusiasm evident in her voice.

Currently, Punekar also teaches students at the academy together with offering consultancy services for bars. She feels lucky to have a supportive family who never questioned her choice. "Neither my parents nor my husband or in-laws ever had any apprehensions. Things were clear from the beginning and they understood that it could mean late hours during events or parties. I feel lucky...not everyone would have been as supportive."

Punekar recounts some funny moments that she often goes through as a woman bartender. "Sometimes men are so surprised seeing a woman serving drinks that they shy away! As far as women are concerned, they are only too comfortable!"

But did she also face any challenges in this male-dominated profes-sion? "Fortunately, I have not faced any bad experience. The men bartending with me at events are almost like bodyguards! Serving behind the counter is safe enough...the wide space acts as a good safety shield," sums up Punekar.

Bartender Buddha

2010-02-18T10:40:00.002+08:00

Pearls of wisdom from Nicole LaFrance
By Melissa Byron
Source: Hartfordadvocate.com

How many beers do you have on tap?
We have 20 draft beers, the Southern Tier Choklat Stout is very up and coming. Southern Tier also has a mocha and a crème-brûlée-flavored beer. We carry 90 bottles. Our most unique being the Unibroue beers. They have fun bottles. They're approximately 750ML, which is the equivalent to a wine bottle. These beers are light and the flavors are delicious. This beer surpasses any other beer.

What's the biggest misconception about bartenders?
Honestly, I think people assume that if you are bartending you are either stupid or have no future. There are a lot of people that have an educated background and sort of fell into it and love it. Plus, you make a lot of money.

The move that works every time?
You gotta pull the baller status. Buy something impressive like a bottle of wine and offer some to those around you. I've seen that work.

Sexiest drink?
The Niagara Kiss, it's one of our signature drinks. Presentation-wise, it looks like there are diamonds floating in it. It sparkles. It has Grey Goose, Inniskillin Vidal Icewine, which is sweet in taste, served with a frozen grape.

Who's the best bartender you've ever seen?
"Mojo" Maureen McDonald. She is our mixologist here. I've worked with her in my previous establishment. She's taking classes in wine making and she works at Cassidy Hill Vineyard in Coventry. She's the most amazing bartender I've ever seen.

Behind Bars: Stay in school

2010-02-17T13:41:00.001+08:00

– bartending school, that is

by CHRISTINE HARRISON
http://www.marconews.com/news/2010/feb/12/behind-bars-stay-school-bartending-school/

Ariel Heinspeter went to bartending school to study to become a bartender. After graduation, she went right to Porky’s Last Stand, where she has been working at her dream job since August.

“I love my job. The atmosphere here is really nice. Lots of nice people and happy faces,” says Heinspeter. Every night is different, according to Heinzpeter. Tuesday night is karaoke night, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights feature live entertainment and dancing, then there are ladies’ night, pool night, pizza parties, raffles and happy hours.

“We have a very good happy hour, for sure,” says Heinspeter. “There’s food available free, $1.50 drafts, you can stay and have a great time. On Sunday, happy hour is all day, and we open at 10 o’clock for breakfast,” she says.

Heinspeter thinks that’s one reason Porky’s is so popular. “Yesterday, we had 103 reservations, just for the bar,” she says. That was karaoke night. “There wasn’t even room to dance,” says Heinspeter. “People just wiggled in their chairs.”

Of all the things Heinspeter likes about working at Porky’s, her favorite is making specialty drinks for her customers. “Ever since bartending school, one of my favorites to make is a Long Island Iced Tea, says Heinspeter. “I don’t even know why, exactly, except that it uses almost everything in the well.”

In school, they would practice with empty bottles, so not to waste liquor. “Even on the last day,” she says. Heinspeter says bartending school was a great experience, and very worthwhile. “I graduated from high school and just decided to do it,” says Heinspeter.

To make a Long Island Iced Tea, according to Heinspeter, use vodka, gin, white rum, triple sec and whiskey. Fill it up, add a splash of Coke and lemon, and add ice. She says that if you add Blue Caracao, it will be a pretty shade of blue.

“I’ve been told I make really good Manhattans,” says Heinspeter. “I put my own little something in them. I use a few drops of cherry Grenadine. And, I make them extra-cold.”

Heinspeter was worried about passing the exams at bartending school, where they were given a written test and a speed test. Students had to make 12 drinks in five minutes. “It was just little old me and a bunch of grown adults,” says Heinspeter. “I was so nervous.”

Heinspeter says her sister, Andrea, took the class with her, which made things fun. Andrea works at Porky’s too, and sometimes, the two work as a team.

The restaurant and bar at Porky’s work together, too. The menu is the same, and you can order from the bar. “Come in, and get to know us,” says Heinspeter. “Before you know it, you’ll be family.”

Mix the perfect drink

2010-02-02T21:06:00.002+08:00

Bartending tips help correct some common mistakes
By Margaret Sheridan, Special to the Tribune

Home entertaining requires juggling three roles: host, chef and bartender. Of the three, the bartender is most crucial. It sets the mood. Proffering that first flute of bubbly or a pilsner in a sleek chilled glass has immediate impact. It spells welcome and whets the appetite.

Whether you're tossing a Super Bowl chili bash or potluck for neighbors, playing bartender lets you customize entertaining. What you pour can enhance a theme and menu.

To sharpen skills for winter entertaining, we asked three experts for tips on correcting common mistakes in bartending. "Having a party isn't the time to serve new cocktails," says Tony Abou-Ganim, a Las Vegas-based hospitality consultant and author. Limit the scope of what you pour, offer drinks you're familiar with and buy quality ingredients. "Don't guess. Use tested recipes. They're engineered to balance taste and flavor, sweet and sour."

Hosts create stress by leaving details to the last minute, Toby Maloney says. Put the bar close to a sink, have plenty of trash containers at strategic locations and double the amount of garnishes, advises the head mixologist and partner of The Violet Hour in Wicker Park. "When the guests arrive is not the time to be squeezing lemons."

Being a solo host/chef/bartender requires a reality check. "Simplify everything," says Carlyn Berghoff, CEO of Berghoff Catering & Restaurant Group. "The larger the gathering, the less complicated the food and drinks should be."

Tips

Ice: It's the most overlooked ingredient. Ice, like a sponge, absorbs flavors. Stale ice can ruin the taste of a drink. Make a fresh batch of cubes or a block with bottled or filtered water to avoid off flavors.

Numbers game: Figure 1 quart of liquor for every 10 to 12 drinkers. One bottle of wine for two to three drinkers. Three bottles of beer for every beer drinker. Enlist or hire one helper for every 20 guests.

Pitcher perfect: If a full bar is out of the budget or beyond your skills, offer beer, wine and one signature drink. Opt for a pitcher of white sangria, mugs of mulled wine or a seasonal punch.

Cold on cold: Serve all mixers (soda, tonic, cola, ginger ale) cold. A mixer, poured over ice at room temperature, will hasten the demise of a gin and tonic by diluting it.

Sweet correction: Overly tart drinks such as a margarita or daiquiri can be saved by an additional slash of orange liqueur or homemade simple syrup.

Legal ease: Big party? Over 20 guests? Be sure the bartender is of legal age. Check your insurance policy. Whatever happens is your responsibility.

Copyright © 2010, Chicago Tribune

How to be a superstar bartender

2010-01-24T18:26:00.002+08:00

By GARY REGAN
SPECIAL TO SFGATE.COM
http://www.seattlepi.com/food/414468_bartending21.html

If you want to learn how to mix drinks like a pro, you probably don't want to do what I did in 1973, when I was starting out behind the stick in the United States. I found a bar where the bartenders knew what they were doing, and I became a regular there, sitting at the end of the bar, listening to the wait staff ordering drinks and watching the bartenders make them, every night for about a month. My liver took an awful pounding.

Rather than suggesting that you go through that same arduous ordeal, I'll walk you through 10 steps that will put you on the path toward bartender superstardom. Well, something like that. Before we begin, know this: If you believe that you know what you're doing, and if you can pull it off without apology, you're 90 percent there.

1. Measuring ingredients

Measuring liquid ingredients precisely is a cinch if you use a jigger - the device you've seen bartenders use that looks like two tiny metal ice cream cones joined at the base. New jiggers - specifically the Oxo brand - look like miniature jugs with lines that let you know how much liquor you're pouring.

There's nothing wrong with using a jigger, and some of today's best bartenders do exactly that, though other equally accomplished mixologists use the free-pouring method. Here's how it's done: Fit a bottle full of water with any brand of pour spout - different styles pour at different speeds. Pour into the 1-ounce side of a jigger, counting in your head, until you have poured an ounce. Repeat. Repeat again. Soon you will know what number to count to in order to pour an ounce, and once you know your number you'll be able to accurately pour without a jigger for the rest of your life. Providing you use the same brand of pourer, that is.

2. Shaking

All drinks containing eggs, dairy products or fruit juices should be shaken, while drinks such as the dry gin martini and the Manhattan should be stirred. Although some bartenders like to shake martinis, nobody worth his or her Margarita salt would ever stir a drink that called for, say, lemon juice, milk or an egg white.

It's also good to know that as you chill the drink, you're also trying to incorporate enough water to make the cocktail palatable: One ounce of a 4-ounce drink that's been properly stirred or shaken will be water melted from ice.

Although metal cocktail shakers that include a built-in strainer look pretty spiffy, I far prefer to use a Boston shaker. The Boston shaker is made up of two flat-bottomed cones, one metal, one glass. There's something about this piece of equipment that makes me think that anyone who can use it properly means business. It's a serious tool. And it's a cinch to master.

Pour in the ingredients for the drink, fill the mixing-glass half of the shaker about two-thirds full of ice and place the metal half on top of the glass, giving it a sharp tap to ensure you have formed a watertight seal.

Now hold the shaker with both hands - one on the glass part, the other on the metal - and make sure that the glass points toward your shoulder as you shake. There have been occasions when the glass has flown from the shaker, and if that happens, you don't want it to fly into the room in front of you. Far better that it hits your shoulder, right?

Now I'll let you in on the secret of shaking drinks like a pro: You gotta shake that darned thing as if your life depended on it. Shake it as if you're trying to mix oil and water. Make a stupid face as you're shaking - everyone does this, you know. And shake it for at least 15 seconds if you want your drink to be cold enough.

Now you have to break that shaker apart. Hold the metal half in one hand so the glass is on top, and using the heel of your other hand, tap the metal sharply at the point where the two are joined.

The Mai Tai

Makes 1 serving

1 1/2 ounces 10 Cane rum
1/2 ounce Wray & Nephew overproof rum
1/2 ounce Grand Marnier
3/4 ounce orgeat syrup
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1 mint sprig, for garnish

Instructions: Pub all ingredients except garnish into a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker two-thirds full of ice and shake for approximately 15 seconds. Strain into a old-fashioned glass filled with crushed ice. Add the garnish.

3. Stirring

Take the mixing-glass half of a Boston shaker, pour in the ingredients, fill the glass about two-thirds full of ice and grab your trusty bar spoon. Note that your bar spoon has a twisted shaft. It's a functional part of the design.

Hold the twisted part of the shaft of the spoon between your thumb and first two fingers. Plunge the spoon into the mixing glass, and twirl the spoon back and forth by moving your fingers away from, then toward yourself. While you're doing this you should also be moving the spoon up and down in the glass. Stir the drink for between 20 and 30 seconds to achieve the desired temperature.

The Rob Roy

Makes 1 serving

2 ounces Chivas Regal 18-year-old or other scotch
1 ounce Noilly Prat sweet vermouth
2 dashes Peychaud's bitters
1 maraschino cherry, for garnish

Instructions: Place all ingredients except the garnish in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add the garnish.

4. Straining

One of my favorite bartenders used to strain drinks through her fingers, and that was a thing of great beauty, but I'm guessing that you'll want to be just a tad more conventional, so I'll guide to as to how to use both a spring-loaded Hawthorne strainer and a standard Julep strainer. The Hawthorne strainer should be used when pouring from the metal half of a Boston shaker; the Julep strainer is used to strain drinks from the mixing glass.

Sit the Hawthorne strainer firmly onto the mouth of the metal cone, or allow the Julep strainer to rest inside the mixing glass. Place your index finger over the top of the strainer to hold it firmly in place and strain the drink into the serving glass. When you get to the last drop, give the glass a sharp twist in any direction as you return it to an upright position, so any remaining drops of liquid don't fall on the bar. It's this twist that makes you look like a pro, so practice it a few times before you perform the maneuver in front of your friends.

5. Muddling

If you can muddle like you mean it, people are going to take you very seriously. Muddlers - basically, pestles for bartenders - come in all shapes, sizes and materials. I prefer wooden muddlers because they feel good, look good and by golly they muddle good, too.

You're going to need a sturdy glass in which to muddle because, depending on the ingredients in question, you might have to put some elbow grease into this. Put a sugar cube into a double old-fashioned glass, douse it liberally with bitters, grab your muddler by the tail, and crush all heck out of that sugar cube until it has completely dissolved into the bitters. If you think you did a good job, you might want to think about adding some ice and whiskey and having a nice Old-Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail.

When muddling herbs, you need to be a little more gentle, lest you release the bitterness from their stems. You're just looking to gently squeeze the essential oils out of, say, some mint leaves, and flavor the simple syrup that's in the glass. The real secret behind muddling is to make sure you tell your guest what you're doing and why you're doing it: "I'm being gentle with this mint because ..." Now you're muddling and showing off at the same time. Just like a real bartender.

6. Making a citrus twist

Citrus twists - the strips of fruit zest that incorporate a little of the white inner pith for sturdiness - add aroma and flavor to a cocktail when the bartender releases their essential oils onto the top of a drink. Try to make twists at least 1/2 inch wide so you have enough citrus oils to make a difference. Some people use a zester, which can yield a pretty-looking garnish, but the idea of introducing essential oils to the drink gets lost.

Hold the twist over the cocktail with the colored side pointing toward the surface of the drink. Hold the twist between your thumb and forefinger. Turn one end clockwise and the other counterclockwise. The oils will be released and will fall onto the top of the drink. Now rub the colored side of the twist around the rim of the glass so that any remaining oils adhere to the rim of the glass, and drop the twist into the drink.

Wanna get flashy? You can set a flame to those oils and watch them sparkle as they fly from the twist. Cut a very wide twist, and place it on the bar next to the drink with the colored side resting on the bar. Now light a match or a toothpick, and hold it close to the top of the drink. Take the twist in your other hand and hold it, colored side out, by the sides, using your thumb on one side and your first two or three fingers on the other side. Hold the twist over the flame - for orange twists, it's good to give it a couple of seconds to coax the oils to the surface - and squeeze it to release its oils. Blow out the match, drop the twist into the drink and look at the admiration in the eyes of your guest.

Manhattan East

Makes 1 serving

Adapted from a recipe by Dale DeGroff

1 1/2 ounces Makers Mark or other bourbon
1/2 ounce dry sake
2 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
1 ounce Domain de Canton ginger liqueur
1 flamed orange twist, for garnish

Instructions: Place all ingredients except the garnish in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Light a match and hold it close to the top of the drink. Take the orange twist in your other hand and hold it by the sides. (The colored side of the twist should be pointing toward the drink.) Now hold the twist over the match and squeeze it to release its oils. Drop the twist into the drink.

7. Using herbs

It's important to match the scent of the herb with the appropriate cocktail. Rosemary and thyme, for instance, work really well with gin-based drinks; cilantro works in Bloody Marys and with tequila; and mint is commonly called for in the Mojito, and of course, the Mint Julep. You'll find that if you place, say, a sprig of mint in your palm, and slap it with your other hand, immediately before placing it on top of the drink, the aroma will be more intense.

You can also muddle herbs as described above, or you can simply put a sprig of this or that into your shaker or mixing glass with the rest of the ingredients in the drink-when you stir or shake the cocktail, the herb's flavors will be released, though they will be a little more delicate than they would have been had the herb been muddled.

The Mint Julep

Makes 1 serving

2 to 3 ounces bourbon
1 to 2 ounces simple syrup
8 to 12 stems of fresh mint, as an aromatic garnish

Instructions: Cut straws so that they are approximately 2 inches taller than the serving glass. (If you don't have a silver julep cup, a tall slender collins glass works very well.) Add crushed ice to the cup or glass until it is two-thirds full. Add the bourbon and the syrup, and stir for 10 to 20 seconds. Add more crushed ice and stir again until a thin layer of ice forms on the outside of the glass, then add more crushed ice so that it domes slightly over the rim of the glass. Garnish with the fresh mint stems, and insert the straws. Serve with a cocktail napkin to catch the condensation.

8. Rimming glasses

If you want to coat the rim of a cocktail glass with salt, sugar or perhaps a little finely grated orange zest, fill a shallow saucer with the coating material of your choice, and moisten the rim of the glass. To moisten the rim, you can slot a wedge of lemon or lime over the rim and squeeze it gently as you slide the wedge around the rim until the whole perimeter is moist. Alternatively you might dip the glass into a shallow saucer full of one of the drink's ingredients. Cointreau, for example, works well for both the Sidecar and the Margarita.

Now comes the part that many people get wrong. Don't just dip the glass into the saucer - if you do, the dry ingredient will stick to the interior of the glass, where it isn't wanted. Instead, take the base of the glass in one hand, and rest the bowl on the index finger of your free hand so that the rim faces downward at a 45-degree angle, allowing the rim to rest on the surface of the dry ingredient. Now simply rotate the glass until the whole rim is coated. Voila!

The Margarita

Makes 1 serving

3 ounces 100-percent agave white or reposado tequila
2 ounces Cointreau
1 ounce fresh lime juice

Instructions: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shakes. Add ice and shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled, salt-rimmed cocktail glass.

9. Chilling glasses

Just as good chefs serve their hot food on warm plates, cold drinks should be served in chilled glasses. If you have room in your refrigerator or freezer to store glasses, that's exactly what you should do. If not, you can keep upturned glasses on a mound of crushed ice in a large bowl - this works well at parties - or you can fill the glasses with ice and water and let them sit in the sink while you mix the drink. Before pouring the drink, you must empty the glass of the ice and water by holding it by the base or the stem, and shaking the glass vigorously over the sink. The cold water will spill over the outside of the glass, chilling it thoroughly. After emptying the glass, shake it vigorously to rid it of any last drops of water.

10. Rinsing glasses

"Rinsing" glasses is a fine way to incorporate a small amount of a liqueur or spirit to a drink by coating the interior of the glass. This is easily achieved by pouring about a half-ounce into the glass, tilting it so that the liquid reaches the rim, then rotating the glass until the entire interior has been coated. Then you simply discard the excess liqueur and strain your cocktail into the glass.

Every time I make a Sazerac I think about how much the absinthe-makers must love this drink, simply because the absinthe rinse requires more absinthe to be poured down the drain than remains in the glass. There is a way to avoid such waste, if you care to invest in a small atomizer. You can coat the interior of the glass by merely pointing and clicking.

The Sazerac

Makes 1 serving

1/2 ounce absinthe
3 ounces straight rye whiskey
1/3 ounce simple syrup
3 dashes Peychaud's bitters
1 lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions: Pour the absinthe substitute into a chilled old-fashioned glass. Swirl the glass to coat the interior and discard the excess liquid. Place the whiskey, syrup and bitters into a mixing glass. Add ice, stir and strain into the glass. Add the garnish.

For how-to videos, go to sfgate.com/ZJCP.

Gary Regan is the author of "The Joy of Mixology" and other books. E-mail him at wine@sfchronicle.com.

Job-Seekers Start Bartending To Make Quick Cash

2010-01-24T18:20:00.002+08:00

By Josh Green,
Source: NBC17

She was a second grade teacher, then an event planner, a marketing director, then a retail manager. Although Ally Fischman graduated college just four years, she's fed up with job hunting.

"It's not only tough for me; it's tough for everybody right now," she said as she sat in class at Raleigh's Bartending School. "It might be harder for people like me with a major that you can do so much."

The communications major just graduated from the school in Raleigh among a class-full of others who are going through job transitions.

"I've been here long enough to see a couple different recessions," said Anthony D'Agostino, Director of Raleigh's Bartending School. "When something like this happens - there does seem to be an influx in at least interest in the industry itself."

Some are looking for quick cash.

"Just the average bartender in this area ... the Triangle, basically ... between $150 and $300 bucks a night," said D'Agostino. "If you're a dead-head behind the bar with no personality ... you're probably going to make the lower end of the spectrum there. Just the nature of the industry: somebody's going to come up, they're going to leave a dollar behind."

Happy New Year from Bartender Careers

2009-12-30T20:35:00.003+08:00

We at Bartender Careers would like to greet everyone a Happy New Year! May we get more blessings in 2010.

Here are some suggested new readings about bartending:

Home Bartending Tips
By Bridget Albert
Source: Oprah.com
When you're throwing a cocktail party, it's essential to prepare your home bar. Here's advice on how to make sure your bar is well stocked and ready to serve

Bartender Buddha
Pearls of wisdom from Amanda Craig
By Melissa Byron
Source: Hartford Advocate

Tending to their needs
By Sheryl Julian
Source: Boston Globe

Drinks to ring in the new year
Source: Chron.com Blogs
As we say goodbye to the aughts, let's welcome the teens with a new approach to drinks. Whether it's an upgrade to the ice in your cocktail or a brand-new bubbly mix, start the decade out right with quality and flair.

Bartending Through Recession

2009-12-27T00:20:00.003+08:00

Read through this article entitled Bartenders/Servers Struggling Through Recession where it talks about how tips received by bartenders go down due to the economic crisis.

"During these economic times, people are coming up with some basic ways to save money. That's bad news for area servers and bartenders who depend mostly on tips to make a living."

Read through the rest of the article by clicking here, and let me know your comments.

Ask the Bartender: How Can I Learn the Trade?

2009-12-18T18:30:00.003+08:00

That’s a good question for the person who pours your favorite drink.
By Maggie Savarino
Excerpted from The Seattle Weekly

What's the best way to learn to bartend? I'm not looking to change professions, I just want to have a bigger repertoire at home than the martini and margarita. I feel like I'm in a rut.

—Randy

First, let's lower those expectations. Bartending is a specialized field that takes years to learn. A cooking class can teach you to make a few wonderful and basic salad dressings, but that's not going to be the same as what the pantry chef can whip up at the Herbfarm.

Such is the case with bartending. Sounds like you just want to learn how to make better drinks at home, and luckily you can do that one drink at a time—at a bar.

First off, don't get wrapped up in the myriad Bartending 101 books. These are great for looking up recipes, but then so is Google. The books also generally assume you want to be a bartender. You don't—you just want to be a better drinker. So start with a real live professional instead.

Next time you go to a bar, sit near the well and order your favorite drink—let's say a Manhattan. Ask the bartender to make it his or her favorite way, ask questions, and take notes. If a customer orders a Manhattan, bartenders have to make a drink that fits a certain spectrum of generally expected flavor, something near two ounces of whiskey, a half-ounce of sweet vermouth, and a dash of bitters. Give us license, and that's when you can learn something.

Within that simple Manhattan recipe are infinite variations that you can try at home without having to follow any of the rules or expectations a working bartender might. The most popular sweet vermouth at bars, for example, is Martini & Rossi, mostly due to its price. But I don't let that crap into my house.

Experiment at home with vermouths that may cost a bit more. Hunt for them at wine shops and grocery stores with strong selections, or ask your local wine seller to bring in a few bottles for you. Do the same with the bitters. Angostura is the classic, but with so many different bitters on the market, you might eventually become as obsessed with finding your favorite bitters as some people are with finding a signature cologne.

Repeat the process with another favorite drink, or take the ratios for the Manhattan recipe you got and substitute rum or bourbon. Play around. Easier said than done, but there isn't a boozy mistake you can make here that a few ice cubes and some ginger ale can't fix.

The bar isn't the only place to find inspiration. If you like dark or aged rum, for example, look at cookbooks and online for desserts and other dishes using rum. See what fruits and spices go into a dish, and play around with them in a glass.

Don't get discouraged because you're not a bartender; just start with the basics and experiment on your friends. Making drinks at home allows you to do things far too tedious for bars to do—like soaking cinnamon, apples, and pears in vermouth to make a batch of something that might once have resembled a Manhattan, but now requires tequila and some weird can of grass jelly from Uwajimaya.

Got a question for the bartender? Send your boozy plea to msavarino@seattleweekly.com.

A Bartender at Home

2009-12-11T20:31:00.001+08:00

By Cheryl Tan
Source: WSJ Online
Having been a bartender at the Oak Bar in New York City's Plaza hotel since the 1980s, Orlando Rivera has served fancy cocktails to many a bold-faced name. But when Mr. Rivera entertains at home, he likes to keep his drinks low-key. For him, it's not about complicated drinks or flashy mixing displays. "The goal is to make the experience enjoyable for you and your guests," he says.

For those just learning to mix cocktails, he recommends the book "Mr. Boston: Official Bartender's Guide," which he calls "an important reference book we use at the Oak Bar." But he notes that the basic rules are that clear and light-colored liquors such as vodka go well with mixers such as orange, grapefruit or cranberry juice. While bourbon works with mixers, other dark-colored liquors generally don't. "Don't come to my bar and ask for Johnny Walker Black with Coke," he says. "If you're going to do that, we're not going to be friends."

When mixing a drink, the key is to make sure that the combination has been shaken together well, Mr. Rivera says. You have to think of yourself as "a portable blender," he explains, noting that he usually gives a cocktail shaker 10 to 15 vigorous shakes on average. "You must feel the cup getting ice-cold," he adds. "If you have that feeling that it's really, really cold and your hands can really feel it, that's when you know it's done."

For most drinks that are served on the rocks, he likes to use three or four large ice cubes; big ones melt slowly and don't dilute a drink too much.

Another tip: Don't make your drinks too strong. "You don't want someone to get intoxicated at your party—that's the last thing you need," he says. "You want people to have a good time."

Printed in The Wall Street Journal, page D8

Bartenders for hire

2009-12-10T20:27:00.000+08:00

By SARAH E. MORAN
For The Times Herald

Sara Moody’s cup is overflowing with business this holiday season.

Moody is the 26-year-old owner of Swig, a contract bartending business she started on the side two years ago after graduating from West Chester University with a marketing degree.
She developed Swig into a full-time entrepreneurial venture when she was recently laid off from her job at an interactive marketing agency.

Today, Moody employs 20 contract bartenders — she calls them “swigtenders” — who travel hither and yon to sling drinks at parties, restaurants and other events in Chester County and environs.

She cut her bartending teeth at the Four Dogs Tavern in Marshalton, where she worked for eight years — first as a hostess during high school (she graduated from the former Downingtown High School in 2001) and later as a bartender while she was at West Chester University.

Swig provides bartenders and supplies — glasses, napkins, shakers and the like — at a wide range of venues, from “banks and art galleries, colleges and offices to private homes — people’s garages, backyards and dining rooms,” Moody said.

Clients run the gamut from the extremely well-heeled to those who simply want to enjoy their own event and leave the mixings, be it alcoholic or non-, to a hired hand.

Take, for instance, Thursday night’s fundraising event at Penn Liberty Bank’s East Goshen branch to benefit Menzfit, a Philadelphia non-profit group that provides gently used suits and other professional work clothing to needy men. The event was sponsored by the Colby Kirby Team at Keller Williams Real Estate’s West Whiteland office.

Moody and her staff mixed and served drinks from behind several bank teller windows - not unlike bellying up to a bar, observed Colby Kirby Team real estate agent Nicole Marcum, who hired Swig for the benefit and uses the company regularly for various events.

Commented Marcum, “Sara is professional and lots of fun. An important piece for us is that she’s always on time. And she’s creative.”

Case in point: Most drinks Thursday night were on the house, but, for a $1 donation to Menzfit per drink, Moody and her staff shook up the Suitini - a pomegranate martini named in honor of the non-profit.

Moody combs Web sites and talks with other bartenders to come up with new and unusual specialty drinks and the latest imbibing trends. Sweet tea vodka-based drinks, using flavored teas, are popular right now, as are fruit-infused martinis.

A recent addition to Swig’s repertoire: A lychee martini, flavored with pureed lychee nuts (the consistency is that of fresh pureed pear) and garnished with a lychee nut.

Her major competition is event staffing companies, many of them large and highly competitive on pricing.

Moody doesn’t have a liquor license, so she can’t provide the alcohol itself. But she does give her clients a shopping list of exactly what to buy and how much. She also provides supplies such as shakers, pourers, wine keys and bottle openers, as well as plastic cups, ice, napkins and mixers for about $1 per person.

A new Swig wrinkle is that Moody now offers a “green” option - suggesting a list of organic wines and liquors as well as providing organic mixers, cups, napkins and other environmentally friendly products for an event.

A Swig bartender costs between $140 and $160 for a four-hour stint. Moody’s bartenders have extensive barkeep experience and work for Swig on the side, many holding down day jobs as nurses, gardeners, jewelers and the like, Moody said.

Swig bartenders routinely card people at events, which can make for some sticky situations. Wedding guests are the most likely to get angry about being asked for I.D. Moody said, either “because they’re truly underage or they don’t have their identification with them.”

The bartending business also has its fair share of funny stories.

One client at a recent event asked Moody to haul away every bit of bar trash. She paid her bartenders to load up their cars, hers included, with odiferous trash bags for an unscheduled stop at the dump.

“Our cars stank for a week,” Moody recalled with a rueful laugh.

Behind the bar at Ernie's with Maura Schuster

2009-12-09T20:20:00.002+08:00

By Nancy Levine in Behind the Bar
Source: Blogs.Westword.com
After stints at LoHi SteakBar and Caldonia's, Maura Schuster is now behind the bar at Ernie's Bar & Pizza. The place is new, but the bar is old-school, complete with a back bar salvaged from the old Armory in Greeley. And Schuster is an old-school bartender, "not a big performance/flair bartender," she explains, "with the exception of spinning glasses and bottles around sometimes -- and I mostly do that for speed."

And don't even mention Tom Cruise in Cocktail. "Oh, my God, I hate that movie," she says.

Now serving: Maura Schuster.

How did you get into bartending? I was in college, and I desperately needed a job. I was hired at Red Lobster as a bartender, and after two weeks, totally confident of my newfound skills, I felt that I was ready for a "real" bartending job. I confidently went to the nicest bar I could find in the college town and asked for a job. The bar manager laughed at me and my lack of experience, but called me two weeks later to hire me. She later told me that she took a chance on me because I had a firm handshake, seemed teachable and was naive enough to think I deserved a job there. That was where I truly learned how to bartend.

What would you tell someone who wanted to get into bartending? You have to genuinely like people to be a bartender, and even when you're having an anti-social day, you have to put on your game face and pretend that you're pretty happy to be at work. The good outweighs the bad, overall, but you need to have a thick skin and not take anything personally, because people somehow feel justified in saying whatever they want to bartenders and servers.

What's your least favorite drink to make? Ugh, anything that requires a blender. Not only is it a huge inconvenience to make the drink, but you can be sure that the guest will complain that they can't taste the alcohol -- which is the whole point of frilly drinks like that. But at Ernie's, we don't even have a blender -- to the delight of the entire bar staff, I'm sure.

What's the weirdest drink someone's asked you to make? Tequila and milk with a grenadine float. I can't imagine anything more disgusting. But the guy sat there and drank the whole thing.

How do you feel about cutting people off? Oh, it's a necessary part of the job. But I always wonder why adults don't know when to cut themselves off: Why do you make us be the bad guys or have to act like your mother? And one more thing: If a bartender cuts you off, you should be thankful. We did you a favor.

What's your best/worst cutting-someone-off story? One night I cut off two guys, and they got belligerent. When they refused to leave, I looked around for one of the male servers to kick them out. I couldn't find anyone to help me, so I came around the bar and dragged them out by their armpits. When I came back inside, I saw a few of my friends sitting at the bar playing a game -- they had barely looked up during the commotion. They said that it looked like I had the situation under control. Thanks, you guys.

What do customers do that pisses you off most? I can't stand when people tell me to put extra liquor in their drinks or to "hook it up." Who do you think you are? Do I come to your place of work and tell you how to do your job?!

What do co-workers do that pisses you off? I'm pretty OCD, so I like everything to be orderly and clean and in the same place, because it saves you time and frustration when your tools are always where you think they are. On the other hand, I probably drive my co-workers a little crazy when I follow them around and rearrange things for the whole shift...

What's the best line you've heard to get a free drink? Well, I can say with certainty that the most frequent line is "Hey, it's my birthday, can I get a free shot?" Seriously -- it's your 37th birthday and you're still trying to get free drinks at a bar?

What's the most memorable pickup line you've heard? A woman in a purple pantsuit with shoulder pads screaming across the bar at me, "My kids are staying with a babysitter and my husband is out of town. Please come home with me and let me lick your p--!" Wow. The whole bar cracked up, and the bouncers ended up having to drag her out. For the record, I didn't call her.

What's the weirdest thing you've seen while working behind the bar? A really strange-looking guy came into the bar one night and ordered a beer. I gave it to him, and three seconds later, when I turned around, it was foaming all over the bar. He picked it up and chugged the rest of it before telling me that he had just poisoned himself to death. Then he ran out of the bar. It was really creepy. Two weeks later, we saw him back at the bar. Weirdo.

What's your favorite alcohol? Oh, I love tequila. I get a little bit wild when I get a few shots of tequila in me, but at least I'm fun.

What's your drink of choice? Hendricks and tonic, dirty Ketel One martinis on the rocks, and Svedka Clementine and soda. For beer, I usually drink Harp, Guinness, Smithwicks or anything dark. I can't stand light beers.

What's one alcohol you despise? Jägermeister. You couldn't pay me enough to drink it. I think I drank way too many Jäger bombs in college, because just the thought of it makes me sick.

Other than your co-workers, who's the best bartender in Denver? I worked with Jason Wetterstrom and Christy Sgambati at Caldonia's for about six years, and they are without a doubt two of the strongest and most charismatic bartenders you can find anywhere. I loved working with them. Christy now works at LoHi SteakBar, and Jason works at My Brother's Bar.

Other than your own bar, where do you drink most regularly? Atomic Cowboy is my neighborhood bar, and I've had more than a few nights of debauchery there. Yet somehow they have never cut me off there. Thanks, Natalie!

If your employer gave you the keys and let you change anything about your bar, what would you change? So far, nothing. Ernie's is beautiful and has a really comfortable feel, a fantastic menu -- who doesn't like antipasto and pizza and sixty-plus beers? -- and a professional, friendly staff. And nobody asked me to say any of that. But we just opened, so ask me again in a month!

What do you do in your spare time? As anyone who knows me will tell you, I'm totally in love with my lab, Ringo, so I hang out with him every second I'm not at work.

Tell us one thing about tending bar that we might not know: People tend to view bartending as a glamorous job -- which, of course, it can be at times. But behind the scenes, it can be really hard work, with late nights, drunken patrons and lots of stocking ice, beer and liquor. There's more to it than what the guest sees.

Do bartenders do well in a recession?

2009-11-28T22:03:00.003+08:00

When speaking of the economic situation, even when people say that the worst is over, we still see no significant improvement our quality of life. We still see lots of jobless and homeless people. And for people considering entering a bartending career, a valid and timely question for them is: do bartenders do well in a recession?

The article below talks about how the recession affects the bartending industry. My personal opinion is it would be too easy to say that the recession affects everyone. The degree of impact however, would vary person to person, business to business. Have a look at it and let me know what you think.

Bartenders far from ‘recession-proof’
By Greg Cook, Globe Correspondent

WHILE IT’S tempting to conclude that “bartending may be the ultimate recession-proof career,’’ that notion is far from the truth (“Some liquid assets do well in downturns,’’ Money & Careers, Nov. 15). Bars and taverns across the country continue to make cuts in staff and other areas as business has declined or migrated to off-premises outlets during the recession. The economic downturn, and the reassessment of personal budgets that has come with it, has left many bartenders and servers looking for jobs... (Click here to read more about this article.)

Free Bartending Training

2009-11-24T20:32:00.005+08:00

The American Bartending School is giving a free class scholarship and wants to help needy unemployed people who want to train for a new career. An advantage of knowing bartending is that it’s a skill where there are job opportunities no matter what the economy...

female bartender photo (http://www.barschool.com/free-bartending-class)

Read the article below to find out more about the free bartending training.

Free Training By Top Trade School Donated To Assist The Growing Number Of Unemployed In New York

New York (MMD Newswire) -- The American Bartenders School is aware of the many unemployed people in New York who need to train for a new career. The school is offering a free bartending course to one deserving person per month. Any unemployed person 21 or over must send a letter to the school's director explaining in 400 words or less why they feel they deserve to be picked for the free job training. All applicants must include their phone number and email address.

The American Bartenders School has been in business for over 40 years and is the nation's oldest owner-operated bartender training school that is licensed by the New York State Education Department and the Better Business Bureau. With the Holidays fast approaching, and money being tight for a record number of New Yorkers, the school wants to do something to thank the people of New York City that have supported them over all of their years in business. The school believes that the current troubling economic times should be a strong call for all successful businesses to do something to "pay it forward" any way they can.

The majority of people seeking new employment choices need training that is short and where there are job opportunities with immediate openings. People also look forward to the fringe benefit of doing something that is entertaining and new. Bartending is a way to make ends meet and it is the school's "hands on" training that makes it easy to learn.

Over 100,000 people have completed the course of study at American Bartenders School. Graduates have been hired by leading hotels, nightclubs, fine dining establishments, lounges, bars, catering facilities and other high profile beverage service venues across the country.

The biggest advantage of knowing bartending as a trade skill is that there are job opportunities available no matter what state the economy is in and no matter where you may travel. There are over 40,000 drinking establishments in New York alone, and constant opportunities for employment. Bartenders work for both a salary and tips and often the tips are quite substantial. There are full and part time jobs available and bartending creates the ability to network with a wide diversity of people.

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release please contact:

Joe Bruno, School Director
Office: 212-594-8560 Cell: 917-642-0744
Email: ABSNYC@verizon.net
Website: www.barschool.com/free-bartending-class

When you contact or book, we are able to provide American Bartenders School's bio, course giveaway contact information and full rules for submission, suggested questions and lead-in for broadcast media and additional information on bartending, job hunting and hospitality related networking.

Bartenders Become Multitaskers

2009-11-22T20:29:00.008+08:00

Just when you think you know a lot about bartending, something new and amazing comes out. Contrary to what most people might think, a bartending job also evolves and adapts to the needs of the times. Checkout this article from The Memphis Daily News that talks about how bartenders become "multitaskers" when the need arises.
Bartenders Become Multitaskers During Economic Downturn
By FREDRIC KOEPPEL | Special to The Memphis News
original source: The Memphis Daily News

On a Thursday evening at 6:30, the bar at Interim is packed. Every seat is taken, people stand behind the patrons sitting at the bar and every seat at the high tables is taken too. The clamor and hubbub are tremendous.

Most of the people fortunate enough to have grabbed seats at the bar are not just sipping cocktails, wine or beer. They’re eating, and they’re not nibbling cashews and Goldfish crackers, they’re diving into appetizers and main courses from Interim’s dinner menu.

All of this means longtime Interim bartender Ben Rhea is working hard. Of course, he takes drink orders, makes cocktails, pours wine, delivers the drinks and looks after the stock and cleans glasses. He also sets places with napkins and cutlery, explains the menu, takes food orders, replenishes water and clears the plates. Clearly, a bartender’s job isn’t just about shaking martinis and slicing lime wedges anymore.

“Serving the whole menu at the bar complicates things a little,” Rhea said. “But one way of looking at it is it’s similar to waiting tables but you can be more casual with the guests. There’s more responsibility, more elbow grease, you could say, but it’s more enjoyable too. You get a better handle on the scene.”

One of the pioneers of the full-service bar was Jimmy Bradley, owner of two popular restaurants in Manhattan, The Red Cat in Chelsea and The Harrison in TriBeCa.

“One of my thoughts,” said Bradley, “was often in restaurants, the bar is a sort of a holding cell or area if people are waiting for a table. Why not give them a choice? Why not say, ‘You can eat in the bar with a full menu,’ instead of waiting however long for the table to clear. And then they can stay in the bar for the whole evening.”

The issues involved in the full-menu bar came down to these questions, Bradley said: “How do I get people into the restaurant and make people happy and increase revenue?”

The advantage to the bartender is increased tips. The person who will lay down a $2 tip for a cocktail will generally tip full service for a meal eaten at the bar.

“There’s definitely an increase in tips,” said Rhea, who previously worked at the bar at Texas de Brazil, a bar where food was not served. “I was making $7 an hour at Texas and I’m making $4 an hour at Interim, but the tips more than make up the difference in the scale.”

“Serving the full menu at the bar definitely helps the tips for the bartenders,” said Deni Reilly, co-owner of Majestic Grille. “There’s more work involved for the bartenders, but the job is more lucrative. Eating at the bar is very popular. We have a bar menu, but we offer the full restaurant menu at the bar too. We supply newspapers. We have a lot of Downtown businesspeople who eat at the bar for lunch. It’s really informal, so the bartenders have created their own regulars.”

Lisa Gradinger, bar manager at Majestic, said serving a full menu at the bar didn’t add stress to the job, though she mentioned she has only worked at bars where meals are served.

“It adds to the whole dynamic of the job,” Gradinger said. “It’s a relaxed atmosphere, and it’s easier to meet people. The bartender should know what’s going on in the whole restaurant, anyway.”

Speaking to the trend of eating meals at the bar, she said, “I don’t expect people to just come in for a drink. A lot of the time it’s flatbreads and sandwiches, but businessmen will come in, sit at the bar and order a steak and a glass of wine.”

The increased revenue doesn’t accrue just to the bartenders who serve full meals as well as cocktails. Obviously there’s money to be made in serving full meals instead of giving away bar snacks.

“Absolutely,” said David Henkes, a vice president at Technomics, a restaurant industry consulting firm in Chicago.“Restaurants are trying to do more with less. Employment in restaurants is down nationally, dining rooms are not as lucrative, and owners are looking for revenue streams. The bar has become a destination, a place to grow and enhance revenue.”

Henkes noted that recent restaurant design and construction is resulting in smaller dining rooms and proportionately larger, full-service bars.

“The problem is that this situation places more burden on the bartenders, and it speaks to the need for more training and education for bartenders,” he said. “Once, all they needed to know about was how to make a lot of cocktails. Now, they have to know about food and menus and service.”

Jose F. Ancona, vice president for the North American chapter of the International Bartenders Association, agrees that the burden on bartenders is more severe.

“It’s indeed a sign of the times and of management saving a dollar and not giving customers the best service,” Ancona said.“Bartenders are being asked to perform beyond their capability. They shouldn’t bear all the responsibility for the whole restaurant.”

Bradley, of The Red Cat and The Harrison, mentioned that bartending now is akin to “performance art.” Certainly, watching Rhea carry out his responsibilities behind the bar at Interim – taking drink and meal orders, making cocktails, serving, talking, sending drinks to the dining room, clearing tables and always maintaining a pleasant attitude – seems like a performance.

“You just get in there and make it happen,” he said.

photo credit, glennharper

What Is Bartending?

2009-11-18T20:48:00.001+08:00

by Jennifer Nguyen

A bartender is someone who serves beverages behind a licensed bar to paying customers. A bartender can also be called a barkeep or a barmaid. Bartenders are found in bars, pubs, taverns, nightclubs and other such places.

The bartender mixes and serves drinks, and the majority of drinks a bartender is making contain alcohol, such as beer, wine, liquor, liqueur, coolers and cocktails. They also serve water, juice, pop and other non-alcoholic beverages for customers who do not wish to drink alcohol such as a designated driver or a non drinker. As well as make and serve drinks, the bartender is also responsible for taking payment for drinks (either from customers, waiters or waitresses), keep the liquor supplies and glassware stocked, keep the bar area clean, maintain enough ice and garnishes on hand and serve food to customers sitting at the bar. Often, the bartender is expected to dress appropriately to add to the atmosphere of the bar.

In some establishments, the bar tender might participate in flair bartending, which contributes to the entertainment in the bar. Bartenders are expected to be able to mix hundreds of types of drinks to please any paying customer in a quick, accurate and unwasteful fashion. In some establishments, such as a busy nightclub, the bartender is only expected to serve the customer a drink and nothing else. In a smaller place such as a tavern however, the bartender might be expected to be a good listener, and allow the customers to have a shoulder to cry on.

All bartenders should be friendly however, and enjoy having contact and communication with customers. Good bartenders have a way of attracting regular customers. Good bartenders like this will remember the favoured drink of regular customers, have drink recommendations on hand or recommendations for other bars, as well as several other unofficial duties. In most countries, tipping is expected of the customer, and this is how the bartender gets the majority of his income, as most bar tenders are paid minimum wage.

In some places, minors are allowed in bars, and it is the bartenders responsibility to check for identification before serving them alcohol. If this sounds like a lot of work, with not much reward, look on the bright side. You're working at an establishment that serves gallons of liquor each day, and your in charge of it. What better way to get drunk for free?

article source: http://www.articlecity.com/articles/food_and_drink/article_2203.shtml

What Should You Look For in a Bartending School?

2009-11-16T21:49:00.002+08:00

By Barry H Brenner

If you're interested in becoming a bartender, you may be considering attending a bartending school. This is typically a good idea, since you'll need to know many different drink recipes before you begin tending bar for real. You'll find that there are plenty of bartending schools available, so it may be difficult to choose the right one.

There are several things to consider when choosing a bartending school. The first, for many people, is cost. You'll need to closely compare the tuition you'll pay with the benefit/training you'll receive. Consider student loans and tuition assistance along with the actual cost of the program. The best program isn't always the most expensive or the least expensive.

A second consideration is schedule. If you need to keep your current job while you attend bartending school, you'll need to find a school that offers a class schedule that fits your schedule. In addition, there may be other factors in your life that determine when you're available to attend class.

Another factor to consider heavily is the curriculum and training you'll receive. You see, most bars look for experienced bartenders when they hire, so a curriculum that provides only classroom training is not likely to land you a job immediately upon graduation. It's important to choose a curriculum that requires you to prepare and serve real drinks to real customers. Otherwise, you'll be passed over for an experienced bartender with no education when you begin to compete for jobs.

Bartending can be a great career, and bartending school can go a long way to helping you achieve this career. But, before you choose a bartending school, it's important that you do some research into the schools available in your area. The web is a great way to do this research.

One great site to start with is http://www.earnwhileulearnbartendingschool.com/index.html. However, before enrolling in any school, it's wise to talk to some previous students. Find out how they felt about the bartending school while they were attending as well as how successful they've been as a bartender since leaving school. Be sure to ask them if they'd attend the school again if they had the choice to make over again. Once you've landed a great bartending job, you'll be glad you took the time to check them out.

Elite Bartending Institute, where you earn while you learn.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Should-You-Look-For-in-a-Bartending-School?&id=3093986

How to Be a Good Bartender

2009-11-13T23:17:00.001+08:00

By Elizabeth McCarthy

How to be a good bartender takes a little bit of practice. Here are a couple of tips. First you must learn your basic drink recipes. You should start out listing the drinks on index cards and study these cards every day. You should have someone go over the cards with you and ask you what is in each drink. You should do this every day until you know your drink recipes.

Just mark the drink name on the front of card, flip the card over and write the drink recipe on the back and number them. You can learn everything you need to do to be a good bartender studying at home. Learning your basic drinks is the most important step 1. Next step 2. list your basic frozen drinks on index cards, and 3 rd step your basic cream drinks. You should study each category. Don't try and learn everything all at one time.

You can write all the different drinks on the cards but study a few at a time then add more. To study. You don't want to overwhelm yourself. The index cards will be very useful, you can use these at a later time so keep them. You can put them in alphabetical order so that what ever drink you need to look at will be quick to find .You will need to look up drinks when you start your first job. A lot of bars have a Rolodex for the bartenders.

Because there is no way for someone to remember all the drinks that are out today. But learn the basic drinks. I think having my own Rolodex of drinks is better than having to use the bars Rolodex because you know what you have written on your cards, and what new drinks you may need to add and you can take it with you.

Being a good bartender starts out with you having a good attitude. You must leave all your problems at home. No one wants to here all about your problems. The customers have came into the bar to get away from there problems. So always listen, and let the person know that you are a caring person. But don't get wrapped up in there life. You just excuse yourself and say I've got to go take care of my other customers. Ill be back to check on you .Or we can talk later I am busy at the moment.

The best way for most people to learn how to be a good bartender is to get a good home study course. Then you can study at home. There is no need to go to a bartending school. You really don't ever need a diploma, not one job requires a diploma. And not one job that you will ever get will their be anyone wanting to know about how beer or wine is made. Bartending school doe's not get you prepared to work in a real bar atmosphere.

article: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Be-a-Good-Bartender-Make-More-Money-With-These-Tips&id=2018562

What's Involved in Learning How to Bartend

2009-11-10T23:16:00.001+08:00

By Robert Korepta

If you are considering entering the profession of bartender, you have made a wise choice. Although not always easy the job is immensely satisfying and, at it's highest level, can be tremendously well paying. Unlike almost any other job, bartending is a physical occupation that requires mental aptitude and skill. It requires knowing what you need to know and acting on it at a moment's notice, all the while appearing skillful and confident to a customer. A job well done in bartending can be quite the rush, and the profession is extremely satisfying.

To begin to learn to bartend, one of the best ways is to take a course. These can either be online or at a traditional school system; most, however, find that an online or audio course is the most effective way of learning. With these systems, you can learn at your own pace, in your own time and slot your bartender training around your current occupation or schooling. They are by far the best investment, and a unique way of learning will encourage you to remember what you need to know. This all leads to the question of what exactly you do need to know. Whichever type of course you do intend to enroll with to learn the art of bartending, the basic knowledge is largely the same. Before you sign up, make sure they are teaching the things you will actually need to know.

The most obvious learning process one must engage in when learning to bartend is that of learning and memorizing drinks. With over 200 cocktails and drinks, this is an awful lot to learn. For this reason alone, be sure to choose a course which uses visual aids for memory as well as just reading words off a sheet of paper. Other things that should be covered by any bartending course should include units of learning on the other aspects of the job aside from mixing drinks. This includes dealing with customers, dealing with problems in a bar and also giving help and advice when it comes to maximizing your tips. If the course you have found does all of these things, you are on to a winner, and a new career should beckon.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?id=1974691

Self Defense For Waitresses and Bartenders

2009-11-07T23:13:00.001+08:00

By Steve Thibeault

With the increasing crime scene it is incumbent upon each one of us to take care of our personal self defense in whatever manner possible. This is not to state that the police department can stop doing their job but it is humanly impossible for the police authorities to prevent small petty crimes that take place each day in our streets.

There are some professions that require a higher level of self defense training so that they can enjoy their profession along with some of the negatives that come along. The job of a waitress or a bartender is one such profession. Waitresses and bartenders have one of the highest chances of being robbed. Waitresses have a higher probability of becoming a sexual victim.

There are some very specific reasons why this profession attracts the attention of attackers and assailants. Firstly, the job involves leaving the bar in the wee hours of the morning or extremely late at night. Secondly, most people know that waitresses and bartenders get tips from customers. If the dining place is popular, a good waitress can expect to take home a couple of hundred dollars or more. Thirdly, most people in this job meet new people each day and the profession demands that the waitresses make the strangers feel comfortable and relaxed in the new setting of the bar or the restaurant. There is a fine line between being friendly and warm and sexually inviting and there are many who would like to assume friendliness as an invitation for a sexual assault. Getting to know the schedule of a particular waitress is not difficult and these perpetrators can get drunk and wait outside the hotel to stalk potential victims.

Most of these aspects that are part of the waitress or bartending profession are unavoidable. There is nothing that one can do about the late hours since night time is when the business flourishes. A large number of good outlets assume a certain percentage of tips as a given and the salary of the waitress or the bartender is fixed accordingly. This necessitates that requirement for carrying all the cash each day. Days on which there is like to be heavy traffic are potentially more dangerous times. Additionally, if a waitress wants to maximize the tip-earning potential, she needs to be courteous (and sometimes a bit more than that) to be able to make both ends meet.

Even though there is nothing that waitresses and bartenders can do to change the nature of their profession, they can definitely take certain positive steps towards ensuring their own self defense. To start with, there are certain measures that each one can take immediately.

- Remain alert at all times. Make sure that you do not relax at any time. Be alert even when you are going about your normal daily chores. Try and be aware of your surroundings and the small moves that other people make. While walking towards your car, make sure that no one is following you. Ensure that no one is slipping in the backseat of your car when you get in.

- Do not hang around in the car once you are inside. Lock the doors immediately and leave.

- Never count your tips while you in public view and definitely not when you are waiting for a cab to come.

- It is important that you do not reveal personal information to customers even if they seem pleasant and friendly. It is not easy to judge people by their appearance and manner and sometimes the most gentlest of people turn vicious.

Beyond these simple steps that anyone can take, waitresses and bartenders need to make sure that they think about self defense proactively. Look for various self defense weapons or self defense products that you can use. These could include pepper sprays, stun guns or tasers. You may need to use some self defense product that is disguised and should consider lipstick pepper sprays or cell phone stun guns. This is required because you definitely do not want to make your regular customers uncomfortable by brandishing a stun gun all the time. At the same time you need to be prepared all the time.

TBO-TECH is a company dedicated to help you defend yourself in the time of need. The quality and range of self defense products that the company offers is unparalleled. TBO-TECH undertakes a large amount of research to understand your self protection needs and offers products that are practical and effective to use. Other than a wide range of pepper sprays, stun guns and batons, the company also provides martial arts weapons, home and personal alarms, hidden safes, spy gear and fun sporting products like slingshots and blowguns. For more information on how you can use these self defense items for your personal protection and safety log on to TBO-TECH and you will never have to feel insecure again.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Self-Defense-For-Waitresses-and-Bartenders&id=1426922

How To Work The Crowds And Get Those Tips Rolling In While Bartending

2009-11-05T23:11:00.001+08:00

By Adebola Oni

There is the potential that you will earn a great deal of money while bartending but if you are noticing that your tips have lessened and lessened lately, then maybe you are doing something wrong. If this is happening to you, then there just might be some things that you should really think about changing, before you end up without a bartending job because you can not even pay your bills. Even those of you who really think that there is no room for improvements in your life, because you are so good at everything that you do, listen up, there is always room for improvements, even with the very best. There are many different things that you can do, in order to work those huge crowds at the bar you are tending, you just have to take the time out and acknowledge that there are some things that really could use some improving.

If you can begin putting these changes to good use, then you will notice an immediate difference in your bartending income and you will totally be thrilled. Do not continue telling yourself that you are the perfect bartender, because there is no way that there is not some little something that could use some tweaking. What do you have to lose anyway? All you will do is gain, gain income, gain a good reputation and during this time you will probably gain a few good friends as well. It is in your hands, with a little work and determination, you could become the greatest, most popular bartender around. That will be quite an accomplishment and it can be done, with just a little more time and patience.

Learn how to interact with those crowds and get those tips rolling in while you are bartending, you deserve it! Work the crowds, get them interested in coming back to the bar, getting themselves another drink. Cut up with them, clown around, but do not get so distracted that you lose track of what you are doing. If you own a whistle, seriously, do not be afraid to use this as an attention getter during your very busy nights, to keep those fun customers coming over to your bar, asking for more and leaving more and more tips as the night continues. There are little tricks you can use to help you with attracting more customers and in order to keep your regulars coming back every time they can.

Bartending will give you so many opportunities and if you work hard and work those crowds, you will begin to earn a really great living by bartending as a career. The crowds will love you and before you know it, you will begin getting asked to do some private bartending for some very popular, wealthy people, making you loads of cash. You will meet incredible people and gain the respect of so many, it will turn out to be a very rewarding career.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?id=659574&opt=print

The Secrets to Becoming a Great Bartender

2009-11-02T23:08:00.002+08:00

By James Wedmore

What does it take to truly be a great bartender? What Bartending Schools don't want you to know is that it has nothing to do with memorizing countless drink recipes.

In fact, learning how to bartend is much easier than most are led to believe. A 50 hour course at some school with a thick book filled with two thousand plus drink recipes can seem pretty daunting and overwhelming to most.

But the truth is, there are no more than 100 drinks that a bartender will ever need to know, and a lot of them are extremely similar in many respects.

But being a Great Bartender has nothing to do with how many drinks you know or how strong you pour them (although that doesn't hurt). Success in this profession cannot be learned in any class or book because it is all personality!

The Bartender is a very powerful character in any setting once he steps behind that bar. He sets the mood for the entire night, and in order to be a Great Bartender, he must be outgoing, charismatic, and very personable. You must be well-liked in order to be considered Great.

Below are some great tips to improve your status behind the bar:

Passion: Most importantly, your success as a bartender stems from your passion to bartend and serve customers. If you love what you do, your guests will see that and it will reflect in your work (and your tips).

Work Hard: Everyone appreciates hard work. Your guests will show their gratitude (with tips!) when you make their drink with speed and efficiency.

Remember Names: The bar creates a barrier between you and your guests. As a bartender, you want to become as personable as possible. Always introduce yourself and make sure you get your customers' names in return. Use their name whenever possible.

Use Humor: Everyone has a sense of humor, including yourself. If you're not the wittiest bartender, have a few jokes on hand that you can tell. Just make sure the jokes are appropriate for your audience.

Current Events: A Great Bartender always knows what's going on in the world, whether it is sports, politics, or local news, you should always stay informed so you can answer any questions and keep good conversation.

Add some Flair: People go out to bars and restaurants to be entertained. Anybody can buy a six-pack and stay at home and drink by himself, but that wouldn't be fun. At the bar, your guests expect to be entertained, so give them what they want. Learn a cheesy magic trick or two or add a bit of simple flair into your nightly routine. This will go a long way with your guest.

There are so many factors that must be calculated into the equation of a Great Bartender. But as long as you are outgoing and showing your customers that you are enjoying what you do, you will be on the road to a great bartender and the rest will just follow.

James Wedmore

After creating an extremely lucrative Bartending Business Empire, James has developed a perfect System that lays out the exact blueprints for success in your very own Bartending Business. Whether you are looking for picking up an extra event or two per month, or you interested in creating an entire army of bartenders and servers, James can teach you how in his comprehensive program: The Bartend-4-Profit System. (http://www.BartenderforProfit.com)

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Secrets-to-Becoming-a-Great-Bartender&id=1115502

Creepy Halloween Cocktails

2009-10-31T00:00:00.000+08:00

By Michael Russell

Summer is over, but the fun just begins. Autumn brings along, all over the world, holidays to celebrate nature and crops, but there is a certain holiday celebrating the spirits of those who have died: Halloween.

While Halloween is really loved by kids for all that trick-or-treat fun, there's no reason why grownups should not get their own "creepy" treats. You can impress your guests with one of the spine-chilling cocktails listed below, or why not, create a new one in which you'll drop a gummy worm or other weird garnishes.

Halloween does have a few predominant colors: black, red, orange and yellow. Can you master a black cocktail? One that has some devil eyeballs in it? Creepy! Black cocktails are a recent trend. They had an amazing public impact in 2003 when many bars, clubs and luxury restaurants included on their menus some surprisingly flavorsome black drinks, such as Midnight Cosmopolitan, Black Mystique or Blacker Dahlia. Probably one of the most interesting black cocktails is the famous Black Velvet: half Guinness Beer, half Champagne (beer first).

While black cocktails could certainly be creepy and elegant, don't forget the other Halloween colors. Red drinks are as amazing and tasty as the black ones. They lack the soberness of a black drink, but they give a feeling of romance and passion, that's if you need such feelings on Halloween.

The creepy touch comes with a special cocktail such as the Atomic Bomb, our first spine-chilling cocktail recommendation. In a shot glass pour equal parts of Sambuca and Bailey's, then pour over the back of a spoon a dash of grenadine. That's it. Decide for yourself why this cocktail wears its name.

What about a creepy orange cocktail? We've got that too: Passoa Death. Passoa is a sweet liqueur with passion fruit flavor. For this special cocktail, you need vodka, passoa, melon liqueur, orange juice and sprite or 7up. Shake 30 ml vodka with 20 ml passoa and ice. Into a highball glass pour 10 ml melon liqueur over ice and then strain over it the vodka-passoa mix. Fill up with equal amounts of orange juice and sprite and you've got a wonderful cocktail that has nothing to do with death. except its name. But hey, the name itself is creepy enough to get you into the Halloween spirit.

Our third recommendation for Halloween is another drink with a scary name: Red Devil. Shake 20 ml vodka, 5 ml cassis liqueur, pineapple juice and ice and strain the mix into a martini glass. Wow! It's red, it's frightening and with the right garnish it will certainly make the perfect Halloween statement. Your guests will really wonder: is it a trick or a treat?

On place four we have a black cocktail: Black Magic. Shake 30 ml vodka, 30 ml Kahlua and a dash of lemon juice with crushed ice. Strain the mix into a glass and garnish it with a creepy Halloween figure.

Last, but not least, we recommend a very elegant, yet mysterious cocktail: Black Shadow. This is not a black drink, but green. In fact, its color is creepy enough. Shake 20 ml blue Curacao with 5 ml cassis liqueur and ice. Pour into a flute glass and top up with chilled Champagne.

Happy Halloween!

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending---Creepy-Halloween-Cocktails&id=273818

Make Money Fast As a Bartender

2009-10-29T23:06:00.001+08:00

By Billy Akerman

How many times has this happened to you? You're short on cash and you need to find a way to make some extra money as fast as possible. You can sell your unwanted items online or in the classified. You can go ahead a do some yard work for your neighbors. What do you do when you've already sold everything that you can to raise some money? What happens when you live near people who don't need assistance with the yard?

Here's a couple of ideas that came in handy for me back when I was younger and wanted more money to go on vacation to Jamaica with my friends, to get that much needed work done on my car (or I wouldn't have been able to go to my regular job) or just to have some money to take my girlfriend out some where special.

The problem with getting a second job to make some extra money is that you have to find the job first, and then wait two to three weeks before your first paycheck. Another issue is that Uncle Sam takes out his money which won't leave you much afterward. Let's not forget that doing that may also change the tax bracket that your in. Which in turn will cost you more money when you file your taxes at the end of the year.

So what job can you get that can help you make money and avoid the issues that I just spoke about?

Like with anything in your life, you need to plan ahead to make the most out of it and this is no different. Before you find yourself in a financial bind you need to set the wheels in motion.

Have you ever thought about working as a bartender? The pay is good, it's tax free and most of all you get paid at the end of each shift. If you have a typical nine to five shift, the bartending hours won't effect your regular job. You won't have even worry about working too many nights either. In most cases you will only work three nights in any given week.

The reason I say that you need to plan ahead is because you will need some basic training in bar tending. It's not difficult, but it does require some instructions. You can take a six week course which will cost you about $400-$1000. That money can be made back in just a few shifts. The course is six weeks because it usually meets one to two nights a week for about two hours each time.

Look through you local yellow pages for classes nearest you. You won't believe how much fun you'll have making money fast.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Make-Money-Fast-As-a-Bartender&id=1757526

Women Can Be GREAT Bartenders Too

2009-10-27T23:04:00.001+08:00

By Adebola Oni

Some people might have the misconception that bartending is mainly for men but I believe that there could be and probably are, just as many women bartending now days as there are men. It is an awesome career to get into or just a good, fun job to have for some extra income. Many people start out just doing it on the side, along with a daytime career of their choice, just for getting the chance to meet new, interesting people or just to have some extra income, to help them out with all of the expenses that go along with daily living, or to pay off some old debts. Whatever reason that has been chosen to become a bartender, I am almost positive that your bartending job is fulfilling you in every way and it has brought you plenty of extra income, to help you out in life.

There are so many people that think that hiring a female as a bartender would not be a great idea, because of concerns about the male customers that are drinking, maybe hitting on the woman or even harassing her. I could understand that but as long as you have a well established place of business and do not tolerate misbehavior such as that, it should never be a big concern because your customers are just not like that. Your bartenders that you have hired, male or female, are professional in every way, and provide your customers with good, fast, quality service, therefore most of your customers will show their appreciation by leaving wonderful tips for the bartender and would never dream of causing any kind of trouble in your bar.

If you are managing a bar and considering doing some hiring, you should probably just keep in mind that the bartender that you choose to hire for your business, will strictly be based on professionalism, skills behind the bar and experience preferred but not necessary and you should not base it on whether or not they are male or female. Both male and female bartenders can provide your customers with the best service and have the ability to make your customers very happy, which is good for your business, it makes you money and they will have the opportunity to make really good money if they do a good enough job. If they are not good enough and you do not sense happiness with all of your customers, then perhaps you need to consider replacing your bartender, maybe even replace that male bartender with a highly professional, skillful woman bartender.

Bartending is an interesting and exciting field to get into, for both males and females, it is not a job for everybody but if you feel that you have what it takes to be a fantastic bartender but just are not sure how to go about becoming one, get on the internet. The internet has so much helpful information and can guide you in the right direction that you need to be in, in order to become the bartender that you have always wanted to be.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Women-Can-Be-GREAT-Bartenders-Too&id=659560

Becoming a Bartender

2009-10-25T23:00:00.001+08:00

By Ray Sherman

You've decided that becoming a bartender is your calling. It looks fun and the easy money will make all your dreams come true! OK, well, let's back up just a bit. If you want to take a stab at tending bar then that's fine. It can be very lucrative and it's actually a very stable job for the right person. True, you can make a lot of money bartending. Even at a small establishment you can make a living. I don't know about the easy money though. What may appear to be easy is actually a highly skilled bartender making it look easy, and likely the same goes for the fun part too!

Bartending is much more than pouring and mixing drinks. Ok, I figured you knew that already but it had to be said. Now bear with me here. This is why most establishments require experience. If you want to become a bartender then first understand what the job really is, not just what you see as a customer. You must first like being around people and comfortable with that. Can you small talk about almost anything? Good, that's a requirement. Can you handle a lot of pressure and even if you start to lose your train of thought, can you hide it? Great because you will need to do so quite often. You'll also need a pretty good memory and basic math skills is a must. You'll be on your feet for hours and even if you're hurting you must be able to maintain a cool, happy attitude and ignore the pain and any mental stress you may be going through.

Are you truly dependable and trustworthy? You need to be. You also must be a leader. Other employees will look up to you and you must always be willing to help them out when you can. When you are a bartender, you are holding a position that demands leadership, responsibility and trustworthiness. People look up to bartenders, customers and fellow employees alike, and you must respect the position you hold. The bar owner puts a LOT of trust in you. That is why you make the "big bucks" and if you can't meet these qualifications and maintain them day in and day out, you won't last.

Ok, so are you still in? Great! This is a fantastic way to make a living for the right person. So now you need some experience. While difficult, it is possible to get a job bartending without experience. I would suggest places like a bowling alley in the summer. They will often hire you and train you if you start in the summer when it's very slow. You won't make much but when fall hits you will do real good and you'll have your experience.

Some small taverns may also give you a chance if you show enthusiasm about wanting to learn. A lot of these places serve mostly beer and just a few of the common mixed drinks. But remember, this isn't about learning drinks! This is about learning what it's all about. If you can do it on a small scale, then you will likely be able to do it on a larger scale and the bar owners and managers know this better than you do! So swallow your pride if you want to become a professional bartender and try landing a bartending job at one of these places.

If you are a woman, cocktail waitressing can be a big help as it will show you are experienced in dealing with people and familiarizing yourself with some of the drinks. And being a waiter or waitress in any restaurant is a huge help! Even if it's just a family restaurant with no alcohol being served you will have a huge advantage of being hired over someone with no experience. This IS experience. All that's missing is the alcohol aspect. In this case, if you walk into a slow tavern needing help or possibly the bowling alley situation, you will have a decent chance of being hired.

If you have a lot of experience serving food, I'd suggest an inexpensive bartenders book or guide just to familiarize yourself with some of the tools, lingo, drinks etc. Just knowing a little bit about the business and sounding intelligent at the interview, along with your food serving experience, will get the attention of the interviewer in a positive way. Don't forget to smile!

Next time we meet you will have become a bartender. I'll be ordering a White Russian from you, please, and keep the change!

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Becoming-a-Bartender&id=2463198

10 Tips For Becoming a Better Bartender

2009-10-23T22:59:00.001+08:00

By Jim Slate

Bartending is a fun and exciting profession, but it takes skill with both drinks and people. The following tips are fairly common sense guidelines that anyone interested in the profession should know and follow.

1. Never discuss religion or politics. All it will do is lead to a fight or make people uncomfortable

2. Keep the bar clean. Wipe it down after you serve every drink, and keep the entire environment neat and tidy.

3. Know the trendy drinks. While you don't have to have the entire drink recipe guide memorized, it helps to be familiar with the more trendy beverages of the day.

4. Learn about sports. People in bars will often be watching or talking about local sports events. If you understand what they are talking about, you can participate as well.

5. Greet everyone as they come in. Try and be attentive to new customers, and to say hello as soon as they enter the establishment.

6. Serve drinks by the base, not by the stem. Nobody wants to put their lips to a place where your hand just was. As you serve drinks, make sure you hold the glass by the bottom, away from where drinking will actually occur.

7. Personal hygiene is important. Make sure that you look neat and sharp, and that you don't smell bad. You are part of the ambiance of the bar and so your appearance and personal attributes matter.

8. Pay extra attention to regulars and big tippers. While you should strive to treat everyone equally, someone who is a constant in the tavern, or who is willing to pay extra for extra service, should receive extra special attention from you.

9. Stay alert. In any establishment where drinking occurs, violence can erupt. Keep your eyes open, and try to spot trouble before it begins. If you can diffuse a fight with a few words it's a lot easier than having to call the bouncer over.

10. Try to have fun. Bartending is a social position. If you look like you are having fun, other people will have more fun as well. Try to relax into the job, and enjoy meeting the people who enter the bar. Be friendly, light, and humorous, and your job will be a lot easier.

This article was written by Jim Slate on behalf of PebbleZ's line of absorbent beverage coasters. This attractive line of functional accessories is crafted from a wide variety of slate, marble, limestone, and travertine materials, as well as highly absorbent natural sandstone.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?10-Tips-For-Becoming-a-Better-Bartender&id=3105278

Bartenders Needed

2009-10-21T22:55:00.002+08:00

By Doug Caywood

Many people have, at one time or another, thought about becoming a bartender. They see it as fun, exciting, profitable or sexy. It can be all that and much more!

How to become a bartender

Maybe you've had some type of restaurant experience while in high school or college. If so that's perfect because this is the number one way to become a bartender. Get back into the industry. Like any other business it's a lot easier to work from the "inside" to achieve your goals. It is extremely rare for a manager to hire someone off the street and put them behind the bar.

In many instances bartenders are pseudo managers. They have a great deal of responsibility and must first earn the respect and trust of managers and owners.

Don't attend a "Bartending School". A complete waste of time and money. If you've had any exposure at all to the bar business you already know that bartending schools have become a joke. Most places would prefer to train from scratch or hire someone with a service background before hiring a school graduate. If you doubt this just ask the next bartender that serves you.

Learn what you're getting yourself into. It's not easy and there are some potential liabilities. If a bartender either serves a minor or a visibly intoxicated customer, the bartender can be held liable for that customer's injuries as well as injuries to a third party due to negligent driving on the part of the customer. It's rare but it does happen. Do yourself a favor and do some research.

As the most visible person in the bar you also become the easiest target if something's amiss. High pour costs, complaints, cash shortages.

It's not all fun and games

When the "party" is over there's still a mess to clean up. Expect to spend an hour or more after closing to get the place back in shape. Of course there are no tips after the door is locked so efficiency is key.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartenders-Needed&id=3107095

The Bartender Has Many Responsibilities

2009-10-19T22:52:00.000+08:00

By Mike Selvon

There is more to tending a bar than meets the eye. A lot of people might think that it is an easy job, but it is quite the opposite, as a bartender has many different duties and responsibilities. There are numerous bartending schools devoted to the art of teaching the skills necessary to provide professional bartending services. Some people believe that bartending is one of the oldest professions in the world. Most of the duties that the bartender is responsible for are ones that a customer would never realize.

The atmosphere of an establishment will often depend on the personality of the person, or persons tending bar, as they are often part of the entertainment. This is especially true with flair bartenders. If the guy or gal behind the bar is feisty and fun, then it tends to make the patrons in the bar upbeat and jolly.

So, in this profession you not only have to learn the bartending skills but you have to really be a people person. You will likely have to listen to the customer's troubles, as well as confessions. You will have to entertain. You will also have to serve as an age patroller because it is your responsibility to make sure that everyone you serve is of legal drinking age. So, duties are definitely not limited to mixing drinks.

A bartender is also usually responsible for keeping the bar stocked with supplies. Some of his or her responsibilities might include: keeping the bar stocked with alcohol, napkins, glassware, ingredients for drinks, and various other bar supplies. In some places, the bartender is also responsible for bringing out appetizers or other food. In almost every case, bartenders have to keep track of the money customers spend or don't spend (if they have a tab), which can be a difficult task sometimes.

So, the next time you go into a bar and order a drink, think about how much responsibility the bartender has. His or her night involves much more than standing there mixing up the cocktail of your choice and listening to your problems.

It is easy to assume that the person behind the bar has an easy job because when you are being served they make it seem like you are their only customer. Yet, they have to make everyone they serve feel the same way. So, if the person making your drinks entertains you, sympathizes with you, or simply makes you feel comfortable, then they are doing their job well.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Bartender-Has-Many-Responsibilities&id=1250710

Why Bartending is Essential For Great Social Gatherings

2009-10-18T22:50:00.001+08:00

By Ethan Harris

Having people over is always a big ordeal. You make sure everyone is wearing the proper attire, you clean the entire house, you get food, and finally the beverages. When catering for a group of your family and friends, it is always important to be able to mix drinks for everyone. With an extensive amount knowledge, you can wow and awe your guests in an event they will not soon forget.

Remember that they are coming to see you, so they more you have to offer the better. I've been in plenty of situations where a great host will make or break a fun social gathering. It's important to know what your doing and if you can bartend for a large variety of people, you become an instant hit. So next year, instead of the neighbors house, everyone will come to your place to enjoy your technique and knowledge of bartending.

Your decision on the amount of knowledge you gain is equal to the amount of entertainment you can provide. So next time your out and about see how much enjoyment you get for giving people a reason to have a good time, I promise that will be more then enough for you to want to expand your knowledge on making drinks.

For impressive social gatherings, the best place to start is bartending. If you can make a quality drink that won't be soon forgotten, you really solidify your place as a hospitable host. You'd be surprised how much a simple drink can improve your social relationships.

If your interested in learning how to bartend, then you need a high quality resource to educate yourself with.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?id=1996900&opt=print

How to Climb the Management Ladder in the Bartending Job?

2009-10-17T22:48:00.001+08:00

By Omar Gustavsen

So you have started with bartending job, but now you want to scale the height of the management position! It is not easy to acquire the position of a manager in the bar tending job. And even more difficult is to consistently perform as a good bartending manager.

Like any other field, managing a business requires certain levels of skills that one is not born with. Even years experience in the bar tending job can throw you into soup when you start as a manager in this field for the first time. When you enter a management position for the first time you may find difficulties with multitude of issues ranging from legal troubles faced by the establishment, inventory control, or revenue analysis and many more. One thing that will come to your great help when you are assuming the role of a manager from a bartender for the first time is to read as many materials relating to beverage management as possible. It will provide you insight about the theoretical aspects of bar management and key concepts used in the industry.

Another thing will help you in getting started as good manager and that is taking cues from the experiences of previous managers for whom you worked as bartenders. Just try to recollect how your manager used to deal with certain type of problems, what they used to do to motivate his subordinates, what measures they used to take up to forge an amiable working environment etc. These will give you some hands-on ideas to start as an efficient beverage manager.

There are certain things that you have to take into consideration if you want to climb to the top management position in bartending job. They can be summarized as follows:

Market Knowledge -Sharpen your knowledge about the market and be informed about your competitors. Try to understand the demands of the customers and respond to them accordingly as fast as possible. You will be regarded as a bad manager, if your customers are better informed than you about what is going on in the market.

Legal knowledge - You have to be well aware of the legal aspects of the profession. As a manager you should have clear ideas regarding health codes, liquor laws and fire codes.

Creative Sense - You have to nurture creativity if you want to rise above the mediocrity. You have to combine innovative genius with business acumen to stay ahead of your competitors. You also have to be a risk taker to incorporate the novel ideas into the business.

Monitoring skills -- A manager should be very good at numbers, because ultimately the goal of the establishment is to make some profit. You should be observant like a hawk to prevent all kinds of wastage and losses. A good manager should have a natural flair of boosting up the employees' productivity. You should also have the ultimate control over the inventories of the establishment. In short, you have to keep a diligent watch on the overall operation of the establishment.

Lastly, to be a good manager you have to be a good leader first. Train and teach your stuffs in the fine arts of bartending and skillful dealing with the customers. Their enhanced skills will help you to grow with them.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Climb-the-Management-Ladder-in-the-Bartending-Job?&id=1039207

Bartenders - Job Description, Education, & Salary

2009-10-16T22:40:00.001+08:00

By James Tomerson

The food and beverage service industry offers plenty of job opportunities. The job of bartenders is to fill drink order from customers. These drink orders can be taken in two ways - either at the bar itself or from waiters who place these orders for customers sitting in the dinning room. The bartender has the responsibility to take care of both the dining room drink orders and drink orders at the bar. Since beverage services include serving alcohol and tobacco products, it is the responsibility of the bartender to make sure that the customers at the bar meet the minimum age requirement. While doing their job at the bar, the bartenders serve customers bottled beer, prepare mixed drinks for them and pour wine or other drinks for them.

To make their career successful, bartenders need to have good knowledge of beverages and drinks. They should possess excellent capabilities of mixing drinks accurately without wasting any of it. When it comes to beverages at the bar, there are recipes as well. The bartenders, therefore, need to know about various drink recipes and be able to create new recipes to serve customers with the latest and attract them. It is also the bartender's job to look after the stock of garnishes. These professionals need to look after the bar supplies as well. Besides doing these work, the bartenders also have the responsibility of maintaining and cleaning the bar area, serving food at the bar and washing of utensils among others. An inventory of liquor and other bar supplies also needs to be maintained by the bartenders.

Besides having knowledge of serving and mixing of drinks, the bartender should also possess interpersonal skills. Usually, bartenders have the opportunity of directly interacting with patrons at the bar. Therefore, they should interact with customers at the bar in a very friendly manner and with ease. At service bars, however, bartenders do not directly interact with customers. There are a number of hotels, restaurants and clubs where the bars are located at some distance. In these cases, the bartenders fill drink orders placed by waiters and waitresses. At some other establishments, there are automatic machines that can release beverages at the push of a button. Even at these places, the bartenders should be quick enough, as orders will be arriving in huge numbers or bulk.

Education Requirement for Bartending

There is no specific training or education required for bartending jobs. However, employers prefer high school graduates to join as bartenders. Bartending jobs prove to be an immediate source of income for most youth. Employers also provide on-the-job training to new joinees. There are numerous public and private vocational schools where short term courses in bartending are offered. By getting enrolled in these courses, students can acquire more skills in the art of bartending. Generally, employers prefer to hire candidates who are 25 years or above for bartenders jobs.

Employment & Salary

Most of the bartenders' jobs are available on a part time basis. A major population of the youth is employed in the field of bartending. Around 551,000 bartender's jobs are expected by the year 2016. The median annual salary of bartenders is $16,350. Additional income comes from tips given by customers. Tips are greater at high end and popular restaurants. Bar tenders working in large restaurant chains may be given the opportunity of entering the company's formal management training program. Depending on their expertise and skill set, bartenders can also be promoted to higher supervisory jobs.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartenders---Job-Description,-Education,-and-Salary&id=3122488

Captain the Best Bar in Town With These Amazing Bartending Tips

2009-10-15T22:44:00.000+08:00

By Joyce Kelmer

Being a bartender may not be everyone's idea of a perfect job but in reality you could do so much worse than that. Apart from it being a completely honest way to make a living, good bartenders are known to take home a decent sum in addition to being graceful, impressive and very useful at parties. It is also a very good job to meet members of the opposite sex with.

These are just a few of the advantages of working as a bartender. It is definitely better if you get work as a bartender in a very big and respected establishment. But before you can become a full fledged bartender, you have to possess certain things or qualities. Here are a few of the things that many employers look for in their bartenders:

Bartending Certificate: You can actually get bartending certificates in real world and online schools. You can actually get them after a two or three week training session. Choose whether the more regular schedules of the brick and mortar schools, or the more flexible schedules of the online suit your schedule and lifestyle better.

Bartending Skills: Real life schools are generally better than online schools because they have a real life expert that you can interact with in person to teach you. They also have a complete set of facilities where you can mix drinks and identify beverages. And when trying to pass an interview, these skills and training will become huge factors.

Pleasant Personalities: Bartenders are usually figures you usually ask advice from and act as guardians or father figures to a lot of customers. Much like barbers and taxi drivers, it would be nice if bartenders were not only friendly but also knowledgeable in a variety of fields such as politics, sports and pop culture.

If you have these qualities, you are sure to make the shortlist of those who amazing bars you've always wanted to work in. They are important but they are not the only essentials prospective employers are looking for.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Captain-the-Best-Bar-in-Town-With-These-Amazing-Bartending-Tips&id=1721461

Bartending with Style

2009-10-13T22:37:00.001+08:00

By Joshua Stone

As opposed to the other food service careers, bartending is one job where personal style counts the most. The best bartenders I've known always have a personality to them, and some even have a little edge of attitude. Always remember that the whole point of your job is recreation.

The best bartenders are good conversationalists. Have a joke or two ready. Read up on the news daily before your shift, so you'll be able to keep up chat on sports, politics, and business.

Working in America, don't stress so much over knowing really complex drinks. About half of your orders will be for domestic beer, anyway. The non-beer orders will be something simple like a shot or a simple mixed drink like a vodka-and-coke. If somebody orders something really complicated, do your best to get it as close as you can and serve it. Bar etiquette nearly demands that the customer accepts whatever you pour as your version of what they ordered, and anybody who is enough of a troublemaker to ask for a Long-Island Iced Tea when you're slammed busy with a full bar generally deserves whatever you put in their glass, and probably wouldn't know the difference anyway.

Some environments to avoid:
A bartender can get work nearly anywhere in the world that allows alcohol, so you might as well be picky about where to work. You can work where you want, it's your career and a matter of personal taste, but if I were you I'd avoid working in these places if I could help it:

Night clubs, rave clubs, or anyplace that requires a bouncer and caters to a young crowd. Loud music, rowdy customers, frequent fights, dumb kids trying to fake their ID on you. Additionally, young adults aren't civilized enough yet to know how to behave in a bar, can't hold their liquor, and don't tip worth anything.

Big commercial chain "McBars". I don't want to name names, but any place that advertises on TV is about as far from a real bar as you can get and still serve liquor. Especially if it's solid ferns and oak inside and caters to the yuppie crowd. These places tend to draw featherweight drinkers and have no personality to them, plus you'll have an uptight management hierarchy over your head every minute.

Gambling bars or sports bars. Generally, any place with slot machines built into the table or giant screen TVs that are always on and turned all the way up just aren't worth much. There's too much distraction from the serious business of drinking and developing a warm relationship with the bartender which will result in a thoughtful tip. Anyplace where the focus is to encourage the customer to never make eye contact with you is deadening to work at, since you might as well be a robot for all anybody cares. The exception is if the bar is actually in a casino or hotel or has an actual live band. At least there people are likely to stay a while.

How to do all the tricks:
Get yourself a mixology pocket guide and keep it on you to avoid having to memorize every bizarre drink. But never let the customer see you checking it - keep it in a drawer or cupboard, or act like you had to go in the back room for a second.

Glassware:
Many drinks are specific to the kind of glass; at the very least get the glass right. Keep one towel for drying and another for polishing. A stemmed glass should be used for cocktails with no ice, so that the drink will not be warmed by the hand holding the glass.

How to chill a glass:
Either put the glass in a refrigerator or fill it with cracked, shaved or crushed ice before mixing. When the drink is ready, empty the ice out of the glass.

How to frost a glass:
For frosted drinks a glass should be stored in the freezer or buried in shaved ice. To 'sugar frost' a glass, wet the rim of a previously chilled glass with a slice of lemon or lime and then dip the rim into powdered sugar.

Ice:
You'll use lots of ice; cubed, cracked, crushed or shaved. Always put the ice in the mixer before pouring the drink; this way the liquids are chilled as they flow over the ice and there is no splashing. For stirring or shaking use cracked or cubed ice, and for specialty drinks crushed or shaved ice.

Sugar:
As with ice, put the sugar in the mixing glass before the liquor. Usually powdered sugar is used because it dissolves quickly in alcohol at low temperatures.

How to stir:
Drinks containing liquor and ingredients require stirring with ice for proper mixing. When using carbonated drinks make sure to stir gently to preserve their fizz. Too little stirring fails to mix the drink, while too much melts the ice and ruins the drink. Also, to stir a drink containing ice cubes, poke the ice a few times; this will evenly mix any and all liquors.

How to shake:
Often drinks containing fruit juices, sugar, cream or other ingredients are difficult to mix -- these should be given a quick shake. When a drink requires frothiness use a blender.

Using a strainer:
Always use a metal strainer - the kind which clips to the edges of the mixing glass.

Pouring:
When mixing the same cocktail for a group of people, make all the drinks in one batch in a pitcher. So that no one drink is stronger or weaker than the rest set up the glasses in a row and fill each glass only halfway, then go back and finish each one off.

How to float liquor:
To make one liquor float on top of another in the same glass pour each ingredient slowly over a teaspoon held bottom side up in the glass. The teaspoon will spread the liquor evenly over the one below without mixing the two. Be sure to pour the ingredients in the right order, always adding liquids in order of descending density.

Flaming Liquor:
The trick to flaming liquor - rum, gin, brandy, or whiskey - is to make sure that the glass and the liquor have both been warmed. Fill a teaspoon or tablespoon with liquor of choice, heat over a flame and then set it afire. Pour the flaming liquid into the remaining liquor to light the drink.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending-with-Style&id=529781

Learn to Bartend Online - Study Bartending at Home

2009-10-11T22:35:00.002+08:00

By Elizabeth McCarthy

Are you looking to find a bartending course on line? And can't seem to decide if you should take a course on line or go to a bartending school? Bartending schools can be very costly. But now you can take a course on line and study at home and learn exactly what you would learn going to a school and more .

You can learn more because you don't have all the distractions that you would have going to a class with other people. You can study at home and do this at your convenience. A lot of people order home study courses because they don't want to drive to class, they work and the classes don't fit into there schedule. It is just so much easier to do things at home. Just download the Bartending Book and start studying! Now there is a book out that you can get on line that shows you how to start working in a real bar atmosphere.

There are a few books out there, but you will find that they are not worth the money you need to select the right book. You need a book that is going to make you feel like you have worked in a bar your whole life! So when you start your first job you can walk right into the bar look around, and be confident of yourself and your surroundings. You will not just be walking into a new job with out any knowledge of whats going on and what to expect next.

The problem with bartending schools is that once you take the class and pay all that money you don't need to know most of what they teach you. You don't need a diploma, you will never be asked by an employer to see your diploma. Anyone can hand out a diploma. Whats most important is learning how to work in a real bar .Bartending school teaches you how beer and wine is made. No one cares. Your customers come into the bar and ask you for a beer or a draft , they just want a beer. They don't care how the beer was made. You really don't need to sit in class to learn how to bartend.

If you are serious about wanting to become a bartender you should take the best bartending course offered on line. A step by step course that will teach you how to start your first day on the job and not fall apart because you are so stressed out and nervous. You will feel very confident after studying. And there is no better feeling than that. Knowing that what you have learned is now going to make you the best and most prepared bartender to start your new job.

Once you have learned how to work in a real bar atmosphere, you now can start making cash money each day. Once you start making cash money you will never go back to a 9-5 office job. Bartending is a Fun job, filled with excitement. You won't find a more exciting career out there. There will always be a need for bartenders, you can work holiday parties, private parties, friends parties, special events like weddings, and you can move anywhere and still find a job as a bartender. If you are ready to start learning how to bartend you need to get the best course out there and start today.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Learn-to-Bartend-Online-Study-Bartending-at-Home&id=2046025

Hands-on Bartending Versus Bartending Schools

2009-10-09T22:30:00.002+08:00

By John J Freeman

Bartenders are in-demand nowadays. Basically because of their ability to bring in a lot of customers and a lot of profit. Bar owners are conducting extensive interviews in order to get the best bartenders in town. The best bartenders that possess a lot of entertainment skills will gain lots of extra customers. Especially the customers of the competitor. This is important to bartender owners, this is what bar owners are after... after all they want to become popular and profitable.

Also because of the increasing demand, a lot of bartending schools have come out lately. Most of them are offering promises such as learning the craft in a certain period of time. And some of them even claim that they are affiliated with the best bars and hotels.

But not all good bartenders studied from bartending schools. Some don't even have a college degree. What they have are lots of experience. So how can these two reconcile? Which is better? Which gives better performance and credentials?

Bartending schools usually have a fixed curriculum that decides on what, and to what extent the student should learn. Some may start from the basics. They may teach the students tons of recipes that they can prepare upon being employed in a bar. But what bartending schools don't teach is the on-site experience. Knowledge is important but bartending is not just about that. It's not just about learning a thousand recipes. Having an on-site experience will give a student a feel of what is happening on a real bar. How a bartender should respond on a certain situation. Those things cannot be learned in bartending schools. They may have drills or simulations but it's still far from what is happening in a real bar.

On the other hand, hands-on experience can be another venue to learn bartending. Most of the bartenders who learned from experience were not bartenders before. They could have been service crew members in the past or even a past customer. Having a hands-on experience can enhance a bartender's mechanical ability. Mechanical ability includes speed and accuracy. Besides the knowledge, this aspect is important. In hands-on bartending, a bartender learns the recipes one by one. Or he may develop his own recipe by experience. Unlike bartending schools, there is no fixed curriculum. A bartender learns the art on a daily basis.

Paying a lot for tuition fees in bartending schools won't guarantee a successful bartender. Same thing with having hands on bartending experience. Success depends on the person itself. Knowledge helps, and also experience but if a bartender doesn't have the heart for service, nothing will help much.

This article was written by John Freeman. Don't waste time by going to a Bartending School Learn to memorize hundreds of mixed drinks fast with the very unique mnemonic training system. Please visit http://www.BartenderAudio.com for more information.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Hands-on-Bartending-Versus-Bartending-Schools&id=2375383&opt=print

Where to Buy a Bartending Book

2009-10-07T22:27:00.001+08:00

By Elizabeth McCarthy

I have done a lot of research on bartending books and schools in the past few years. And I have found that so many of these books and schools are missing some very important information that is so vital to someone who is just starting out in this profession.

There are so many young people looking to find the right bartending book to buy on line and can't find one. And are confused about what they should do. Whether or not to buy a bartending book, or go to a bartending school.

I am a bartender and have worked as a bartender for many years. I have a lot of experience and knowledge on the subject and I feel there is a need to enlighten a lot of the younger up coming bartenders that do not have the time to go to a school. And do not want to waste there money on a bartending school. You need to get a bartending book on line.

You do not need to go to a bartending school to learn bartending. You can learn right from home. Bartending school is set up so that you can practice pouring drinks and study in a class room.

You can practice, and study right at home. Bartending is not hard to learn, but you must study if you are serious about becoming a bartender. Tip from book , Get a couple empty liquor bottles add pourers to the bottles and start practicing. Its very easy! Can you pour out of a pitcher? Well, Its really no different with a liquor bottle. Actually it is easier to pour with a liquor bottle than a pitcher. The bartending book explains everything to you. Some people are fooled thinking that they have to go to a Bartending school. I am trying to enlighten you ! So that you will not be fooled. You can do everything from home.

You are paying to have a bar setting at the bartending school. You don't need a bar setting. And for a certificate that you will never use. Bartending schools have to pay for the building rent , the paper, teachers, insurance and equipment etc. That's what you are paying for. You don't have to.

Now there is a bartending book out that bypasses all the unimportant topics that bartending schools are teaching that is not necessary in a real bar setting. Once you learn the basics you can always go back and learn other things like how beer and wine is made. If you want to. No one really cares how beer or wine is made, you will never have a customer ask you that question. But for your own personal knowledge you could look into these topics.

If you really want to become a professional bartender then you need to get a bartending book that is going to teach you exactly how to do everything behind a bar the shortest time. The right way. And learn what this bartender knows that has worked behind a bar for 30 yrs.

Skip all the unimportant things and get to what is the most important things you should be learning and doing to start your new job. A bartender that has worked for years knows what information you need to know. If you want to learn to bartend and you don't want to spend hundreds of dollars, time, gas money, and pay the bartending schools overhead then get a bartending book. You can down load the bartending book right on line.

Don't get scammed by bartending schools that don't teach you what you really need to know. You can learn everything you need to know to begin bartending right from home.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Where-to-Buy-a-Bartending-Book&id=2060406

Bartender Salaries

2009-10-05T22:23:00.000+08:00

By Roberrt Walsh

With the realization that bartending salaries can be very impressive for a select few, a new and higher demand is present for learning this age old craft. Want proof? There are bartending schools springing up everywhere and some are very expensive A simple Internet search will show you just how many have sprung up around the country. Now if you feel like spending serious cash to learn the mechanics of mixing drinks, then that is your right but it will not neccesarily make you more successful at it. Actually it may hinder your ability to make any real money. Instead you may want to find a teacher or school that focuses on soft skills of the trade.

Most bars will not care if you went to an expensive school to learn bartending. Instead the owner or manager is much more likely to hire someone that he feels has the soft skills to keep customers happy. You see you will NEVER make significant money at bartending based on how many drinks you know how to mix or even how great your drinks taste. It will depend on how you treat your customers.

You see bartending is a people business, not a drink business and the right teacher can make all the difference in the world if you want to make the high bartending salaries that only about 2% of bartenders make.

Here is an example of being a great bartender that has nothing to do with mixing a drink. If you welcome your customers as though you have known them forever they will immediately be at ease. Do anything you can to remember their names. One trick taught by the best is to keep a notebook behind the bar and use some type of association to remember their names. As an example you could say Steve, Tinted Glasses, Cowboy Hat, drinks Miller, loves The New York Mets. Eventually you will find that just the fact that you took the time to write down some information on a particular customer is enough to burn their name into your memory next time you see them.

How differently would you feel if you walked into a bar and were greated by name and the bartender put your favourite drink in front of you without even asking what you wanted? You would fee great! Make your clients feel great and they will reward you.

Here is another example. Imagine one of your clients shows up with a date. Now your client is probably nervous. If you take the time to treat them both great and treat your client like a VIP in front of his date, imagine how much he or she will love you for it! You can certainly expect some great tips for a long time to come.

When you are at work your job is to be happy, smiling, joking and making them feel as though your bar is the one place your guests can get away to laugh and feel great. Mixing drinks is secondary.

Unsuccessful and average bartenders walk around with a sour face. Then they get bad tips and their mood gets worse. It is a vicious cycle. Even if you are in a terrible mood you will find that as you are handed great tips and your clients smile at you and joke with you, you will feel better. Many great bartenders do not feel like they have worked a day in their lives. They love what they do.

Nobody will remember if you could not mix the latest drink to perfection, but they will remember your upbeat smile and the great joke you told them. They will remember you treated them with respect.

Lastly keep a watchful eye on your customers. They are in your house so to speak as your guests. You should try to anticipate when they might need something such as another drink. If you take care of it, in advance they will feel cared for and reward you.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartender-Salaries&id=1251067

How One Student Doubled His Income In Just 6 Weeks

2009-10-04T22:20:00.002+08:00

By B.J. Williams

I have been in the restaurant and bar business for over 12 years. The question I am asked the most, by a landslide, is "how do I become a bartender?" I have been asked this question by people already in the restaurant business and people with no experience just looking to make some extra money. I give them all the same answer, "Decide that you want to become a bartender and resolve yourself to doing it."

Becoming a bartender is just a matter of convincing a bar manager that you would be good at the job. Some people have advocated that this requires lying your way into a job. DO NOT do that. Not only is it unnecessary but your lies will be discovered and your job will be at risk. If you want to know how to become a bartender simply look at your current job and life experiences and think about how your skill set can be applied to bartending. To show you what I mean I will walk you through a case study on how a student of mine became a bartender and doubled his take home income, with no previous bartending experience.

The first thing we did was write out all the skills that he had learned and mastered at previous jobs that could relate to bartending. These skills included conflict resolution, customer service, inventory management, upselling, etc. We then wrote a resume, geared specifically for bartending jobs, that featured these skills.

The resume did not include unrelated skills that you often see thrown onto resumes like I can type 65 word a minute or I am proficient in excell. These skills are often put onto a resume as an afterthought or to take up space. What you are telling the resume reader is that you couldn't come up with enough job related skills to fill ONE page of type. Leave these unrelated skills off your resume if you want to become a bartender. They are irrelavant and insult the intelligence of the resume reader.

Second, we created a dynamic and interesting cover letter to accompany the resume. The cover letter told a story about how the student had handled a difficult situation with a customer. Bartenders deal with difficult and/or drunk people. This story showed how to effectively and professionally handle a potentially volatile situation. The story showed my client's professionalism and personality. Bartenders are expected to show their personality behind the bar. You need to have your personality come across in your cover letter and put it on full display during your interview.

Next we sent the cover letter and resume to 2 banquet staffing agencies in town. *Please note that after hiring dozens of bartenders and hundreds of restaurant employees I know that this cover letter and resume would have gotten him a job as a bartender in a regular restaurant or bar. He, however, wanted to start at a staffing agency, so he could gain some on-the-job experience in a low stress environment. You need to do what is comfortable for you.*

He was offered temp jobs by both staffing agencies and took shifts for both. After 2 weeks he realized the money was better at one and eliminated the other agency. After another 2 weeks he was being requested by one establishment on a regular basis.

My student took his job seriously and used his time at the staffing agency to sharpen his drink making skills. Do not believe the myth that bartenders need to know hundreds of recipes. Once you become a bartender you will be absolutely amazed at how often you make the same drinks. You will need to know about 20-40 drinks, but they are all so similar they are very easy to remember. So he didn't concentrate on recipes but on technique and efficiency.

After another 2 weeks the establishment that was requesting him so often offered him a part-time job. He now works 2 nights a week and brings home anywhere from $300-$500 working just those 2 nights. He works on Tuesday and Sunday which aren't your prime time shifts and is still able to double his take home income.

Let's review. My student had no previous bartending experience. We wrote industry specific cover letters and a resume. He worked a temp job for 6 weeks and now has a part-time job, 2 nights a week, that matches his 40 hour a week full-time job.

He has opted, for now, to keep his full-time job because he gets health care for his family and they have a tuition reimbursement program. So he has one job that provides him with the necessities of life, including college tuition, and another that allows him to have fun, drive a better car and go on vacation.

Do not overestimate your competition or the difficulty in learning how to become a bartender. It really is as easy as deciding that you want to do it and taking the steps to achieve your goal. For a more detailed plan and to sign up for my free newsletter "How to Get a Bartending Job," go to my website http://www.getabartendingjob.com

You can do this, just believe in yourself and take action.

Brian Williams has over 12 years in the Bar, Bartending and Food and Beverage industries. He has helped dozens of people get a bartending job through his Seven Secrets Program.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Become-A-Bartender---How-One-Student-Doubled-His-Income-In-Just-6-Weeks&id=994376

What You Can Expect To Learn At An Online Bartending School

2009-10-03T22:13:00.001+08:00

Online bartending schools are a convenient solution for someone who’d like to learn the art of bartending but cannot afford the time or the fees required to learn this exciting skill. Worried that bartending needs a more hand’s-on approach for teaching? That’s a thing of the past. Online bartending schools are getting increasingly innovative and their courses include audio as well as video instructions complete with color photos, recipes and loads of tips and tricks. Move over Tom Cruise.

All course material that is sent to you includes embedded video, audio and color photos. For every drink that is included in the course you get a color photo complete with the kind of glassware to be used as well as the garnish. This is important as it helps you get familiar with the appearance of the drink. This is accompanied by a step-by step photo sequence of how to prepare the drink, as well as an audio of the instructor giving you helpful tips, tricks and summaries. Most bartending courses also include a video demonstration of how to prepare the drink.

At the end of every lesson there is a self-grading quiz that gives you your score after you answer it and also provides the correct answers. You have the option of re-taking all quizzes as many times as you need to till you are satisfied that you’ve finally got it! However the crucial test is the final quiz. It is akin to a final exam. It’s only after you pass the final exam that you get to unlock your certificate and can then call yourself a professional bartender.

For those who want to do a bartending course just to look like Tom Cruise in ‘Cocktail’, there’s good news! Many online courses include bonus video lessons that explain the fundamentals of flair bartending. You get to learn how to flip bottles in the air, slide them across the bar-top and plenty of other cool bartending maneuvers that are sure to make you look more showman than mere bartender.

Attend bartending school at http://www.bartend.com/

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?What-You-Can-Expect-To-Learn-At-An-Online-Bartending-School&id=736736

Do I Need Flair Bartending Classes?

2009-10-02T22:00:00.000+08:00

By Shane Dayton

Welcome into the world of fast and furious pours, the world of flair bartending classes. One of the first men credited with flair bartending was Jerry "the professor" Thomas, and his fable drink, the Blue Blazer. The Blue Blazer is a simple flaming drink of scotch, water, and sugar poured back and forth between two mugs while still ablaze. If such flair seems a little beyond your skill level, don't worry. Everyone starts at the beginning.

Put simply there are two schools of flair. The first is called working flair and as such is a style promoting efficiency of movement and pours, minimal spillage and a service first mentality. Such bartending can help bartenders earn a few extra tips throughout the evening first by providing fast service and second by putting on a good show.

The second school of flair is known as exhibition flair. Exhibition flare often requires prior setup and staging. This allows for longer, choreographed sequences of flipping, juggling, pouring, lighting drinks and multi-flair tricks involving three, four, even five bottles or tins. While this does not lend itself to everyday bartending certain bars have independent flair sections for entertainment purposes. Exhibition flare also lends itself to bartending competitions for thousand dollar or more top prizes, and bragging rights, naturally.

Many instructional courses can be found online teaching free lessons on basic moves such as the palm spin or a bottle flip to stall (catching it on the back of your palm). In addition to free basic tutorials found on the internet a wide array of DVD materials is available. While free tutorials, practice and several broken bottles can net you the basics of flair certain schools specialize in training for bartending competitions. They teach a breakdown of the rules to maximize points, select music, how to create combos of three to five moves and how to cater to the crowds.

Other schools of bartending require direct, hands on training on the grounds that there is no substitute to time spent behind a bar. Many of these schools require no prior knowledge of flare or even a thorough knowledge of alcohol, but can train you into the art of service with a show. These are the benefits of flair bartending classes.

If you would like to learn more about flair bartending, please feel free to visit my page about this, as well as about flair bartenders.

Thanks for Reading.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-I-Need-Flair-Bartending-Classes?&id=2882391

Finding a Good Bartending School

2009-10-01T21:51:00.000+08:00

By Mario Oreilly

For a person interested in a bartending career it is advisable to check out a good bartending school. Bartenders who know their job and are good at what they do can earn a lot of money tending bar.

For a lot of people who think that they can do a bartenders job no problem and join a bartender school expecting it to be easy work, think again... WRONG! If you have ever really watched a bartender at work then you will notice that it takes a lot of concentration to deal with multiple orders for beers wine, and cocktails, while maintaining a good level of customer service and making sure the crowds happy as well as keeping the bar area tidy, multitasking of the magnitude takes more skill that you would imagine. But bartending can be a lot of fun as well, being in a good company of people, hearing the best music on the charts and meeting a lot of new and interesting people is well worth all the effort that you put in.

When browsing the different bartending schools, one should consider a number of variables, does the school have a job scheme where they help you find your 1st bartending job and 1 of the most important factors, find a school that has a long standing service and a good track record behind them, try and stay away from cowboys.

To be a bartender is more than just having a knack for pouring drinks, there are a few other criteria that should be met before this career should undertaken, there is product knowledge as well as backup knowledge, a good knowledge of different liquors and there measurements, cocktail knowledge would also be essential but this will all bee taught to you at the school for bartenders.

Working as a bartender is all about personality, product knowledge come second, the key to a successful bartender in any establishment is to make the patrons feel really welcome and provide excellent service! If you notice the way bartenders conduct them selves, the more confident a bartender carries himself and entertains the crowd the more tips he is likely to make during a night

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Finding-a-Good-Bartending-School&id=668982

Ways to Become Bartender

2009-09-30T22:02:00.001+08:00

By Jim Slate

Bartending is a fun and challenging career, that allows you to work in an exciting atmosphere, making friends and acquaintances, and joining people during their most celebrated and joyous occasions. However the path to becoming a bartender can be daunting, with hidden challenges lurking in the shadows, and difficulties arising at every turn. However all you need is diligence, skill, and perseverance, and you can attain a profitable and enlightening career serving drinks to appreciative patrons.

It is a common misconception that you have to go to Bartending School and get certified to become a bartender. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most bartenders have no formal training at all, and many were simply promoted from lower level jobs such as waiter or bus boy.

However Bartending School and certification can help you on this career path in a variety of ways. First, it will give you some training in mixed drinks, and will help to familiarize yourself with the working of a bar. Second, the certification that you receive, while not worth that much on the job market, will at least show a potential employer that you are knowledgeable and have some basic knowledge of how the profession works, and the various recipes that are requested.

The most important thing that Bartending School can afford you is if they offer some sort of job placement. Many bartending schools will work with restaurants and bars, to help place successful students in entry level positions upon successful completion of the course. This can be a major boost, helping you to break the ice and get that all important first job.

However as stated earlier, it is not at all necessary to get training to become a bartender. The most common path to this goal is to get promoted. That means that you have to get a job working in a restaurant, or a bar. Preferably this job should be somehow related to the bar, or serving beverages. This can include being a bar back, or a bartenders assistant.

Once you have a position that is somehow related to the bar, you should work hard to prove yourself to your employers. Be diligent, work hard, and fill in any gaps that other employees may leave open. Whenever possible make yourself useful to the bartenders on staff, and try to learn as much from them as possible.

If you are looking for a new position as a bartender, one way to find a job is to do "the walk". This is a common experience for wait staff and restaurant employees. It involves walking up and down the street, in the neighborhood where you live, and popping into every establishment, and simply asking if they need help. You should bring a resume that has any pertinent experience that you may have typed up neatly. Even if the place doesn't need help right away, they can file your resume, and if a position opens up, they may call you.

Another version of "the walk" has you opening up the yellow pages, and cold calling every restaurant or bar listed asking for help. Always be polite, and respectful. When you call, try to speak to the owner or manager, as they are the ones who will make the ultimate decision about your employment possibilities.

Bartending can be a rewarding and lucrative position, allowing you to earn a good living doing something in a fun and active environment. However you have to be diligent, and willing to work your way up, in order to get a good position that will ultimately fulfill your goals.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Ways-to-Become-Bartender&id=2978886

How You Can Increase Your Bartending Income Now!

2009-09-19T22:18:00.002+08:00

By Adebola Oni

There are many different types of people that decide to get involved with bartending, to earn themselves money and they soon find out that as long as they do a great job and take care of the customers, their customers will take care of them in return, in a very nice way. The income that you can earn from bartending might surprise many people but there is always room for improvements and by making some improvements with your bartending skills you will have the opportunity to increase your income, possibly even double your income eventually! It is a fun and very exciting career to get into and once you realize that there is money to be made it will motivate you to continue making many improvements with your bartending abilities.

There are many different things you, as the bartender, can remember to do each time you are bartending, that could really help with improving your bartending skills, which in return, your income will also improve because the happier the customers, the more money in your pocket! Some of the things you should already know as a bartender is of course, how to make the drinks, no matter how crazy the drinks sound, if it is what the customer wants, give it to them, make them happy! Your bar should look nice at all times, keep the counters wiped down, empty ashtrays constantly, give refills, even without requests and always remember to communicate with the customers, make them feel as if you have known them for years.

These things will surely improve all aspects of being the perfect bartender and your income will increase because of it, no matter where you work for a living. Get the crowd laughing, interest them in conversation, talk to them about the current sports news, they will love that every time! You will have your regulars and having their drink ready for them before they even sit down at the bar will surely please them, and they will always remember to reward you in return. They will talk about you to their friends and introduce you to new people before you know it, who will also appreciate your good quality service and leave you very nice tips because of it.

It will amaze you at the end of your shift as to how greatly your happy customers appreciate you, because your money will begin to increase and you will definitely notice the difference within just a matter of time. This will help encourage you and give you the confidence you need to make you a stronger, happier, and more dedicated bartender. Bartending can have some challenging moments but overall, the different encounters you will have the opportunity to get on a daily/nightly basis and all of the appreciation your customers show to you, will make you feel really good at the end of the day. You could not ask for a better, more satisfying job.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-You-Can-Increase-Your-Bartending-Income-Now!&id=659578

How To Be The Greatest Bartender

2009-09-18T22:16:00.000+08:00

By Adebola Oni

Being a bartender might require quite a bit more than you first thought. It is not all fun and games, it is not just a cheesy job or career, it can be a very challenging and reputable career, if you take all of the proper steps that can help get you to that point. It can be the best job you have ever had the opportunity to have in your lifetime. It will be fun and exciting, along with having to know how to deal with bad behavior from some of your customers sometimes. There will be good times and some bad, with bartending. However, if you get the right amount of training beforehand, you should be more than prepared to take on any type of situation that could arise and handle it professionally and still continue to serve your customers up with the greatest drinks around. That is what it will take in order to be the greatest bartender around, a good attitude, professionalism, patience, bartending skills and people skills, no doubt.

Many times, when people think about a bartender, their first thought is either someone like on "Cheers", friendly, fun and someone that loves to chit chat with customers, or they might think of a really, really hot chick or guy bartender, what a nice thought that is. The fact of the matter is really, it is a nice bonus if you get a really hot bartender, but only if they are also good with the customers and know how to fix every kind of drink that there is available. You can have the looks but have no kind of skills whatsoever, when it comes to being behind the bar. That is not the kind of bartender that any nice bar would want on staff. To be a good, professional and efficient bartender, it takes so much more than just your good looks, like I said, that is a bonus of course. Everyone loves getting drinks from someone that is kind to the eyes, right. However, they must have the bartending skills to back up their confidence. It is very important to have knowledge of all sorts of drinks and have the ability to be very friendly with every kind of person that comes into your bar.

There are so very many different things that you can do in order to be the greatest at bartending, you just have to take mental notes of these things and begin practicing them and putting them to good use the next time you step behind the bar. People want someone that they can rely on, so if you know how to create their drinks of likings and do it fast, along with talking to them and having a few laughs, they will really grow to appreciate you and your bartending abilities. Bartending school, along with so much dedication and determination, can get you just where you need to be, in order to be that great bartender you have always dreamed of being and in return you will be paid some very high tips, earning yourself quite a good keep.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Be-The-Greatest-Bartender&id=659565

Monetise Your Hobby in a Flash!

2009-09-17T22:12:00.002+08:00

By Jodie Lawton

Historically, bar tenders have been reputable characters of charm and wit that served their customers by way of a stout beer and a friendly listening ear, epitomising the essence of community spirit. Whilst hospitality is of course still paramount in today's bartending world, entertainment is the key to managing or working in a successful bar or restaurant. Bartending is a major contemporary art form that definitely deserves to be mastered.

Creativity need no longer be attributed to being a prolific painter or an expert reviewer of Puccini's operas! If you have ever heard of 'flair bartending', or 'extreme bartending' then you know what I'm talking about. It takes immense skill, 'flair' and precision to be at the top of the game when it comes to the world of flair bartending. When performed well by the 'artisan', flair can be truly magical to watch, deserving a big cheer and, I think, a gratuity tip!

For those of you that don't know what I'm talking about, the phrase 'flair bartending', adopted in the 1990's, is the practice of entertaining guests, clientele or audiences with the manipulation of bar tools (e.g. cocktail shakers) and liquor bottles in tricky, dazzling ways. How could we forget the famous performance by Tom Cruise in the hit 1988 movie "Cocktail". In this blockbuster a young Tom Cruise is the hot shot young bartender who is shown the ropes by the older wiser Brian Brown. Many of us daydream of being able to pull the moves like Cruise did... Well if you can already juggle, then you will most likely be a dab hand at it!

If you like to be the centre of attention, the life and soul of the party, then a career or a hobby in bartending is definitely for you!

I have been into plenty of bars and pubs in my time (huh-hmm... for research purposes) that have been a real let down when it comes to customer service. Here's the scenario. You walk in to an unfamiliar pub, (or bar, or restaurant,) and you see a few locals at the bar. It seems nice enough, clean and fresh rather than the proverbial smoke stained walls and sticky patterned carpet! You walk up to the bar, unsure of what drinks are available, and to your dismay you either get ignored for more than 30 seconds (which in my opinion is far too long if the bar is not busy) as the bartender serves the 'regular' that arrived after you, or you are greeted with a young host whose monosyllabic replies and slightly sour face leave you with a bitter taste in your mouth, and you know that you wont be returning there again.

If you are with me, then you will agree that a happy and welcoming host that makes the effort to smile and remembers your face (or if your lucky, your name) when you visit their bar again are well worth their weight in gold.

If you love to host friends and family in your home for dinner parties or a gathering, then you may be surprised to know that you probably have the specific personality type that would excel at working in, managing or even owning your own restaurant/bar establishment. As well as making copious amounts of friends (and copious amounts of money I hope), you can truly be creative in the way that you deliver services. Imagine knowing how to create hundreds of delicious cocktails, martinis and shots to tantalise your friend's taste buds, guaranteeing that they will come back for more! Picture being able to juggle liquor bottles or balancing drinks and shakers on various limbs and extremities whilst nonchalantly pouring your customers favourite drink! Or for those of us that think that they might fall over or set light to their hair if they tried these crazy tricks, you could instead entertain using your wit and intellect as you tell the latest jokes and riddles. You could definitely leave the crowds tongue-tied and roaring with laughter.

Whether you are already a keen drink-mixer at home or at work, or you are just getting started, there is so much to learn, discover and master in the world of Bartending.

No longer is Bartending a 'mugs game' on the way to enjoying minimum wage. It is now a sought after career if you can get a foot in the door of the more 'high brow' clubs, bars and restaurants that pepper our high streets and shopping malls. I have heard of and read many stories of employees making 10 times more that their earnings in tips in one night alone!

It sounds to me that this has to be the best thing since sliced bread, turning your hobby into cash in a flash!

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending-Career-Tips---Monetise-Your-Hobby-in-a-Flash!&id=1568886

Bartending Might Be More Difficult Than One Might Think

2009-09-16T22:10:00.000+08:00

By Adebola Oni

If you have never experienced a job such as bartending, then you really might be confused in thinking that it is an easy, fun, exciting, stress free job. I have often heard that bartending would just be the coolest, all you really have to do is fix a variety of drinks, have a little chit chat here and there and make money for being nice. You need to understand before you decide to get yourself a bartending job that it is much different than you might have first thought. Sure, it can be fun and exciting and slow nights might not be so difficult but, if you have yourself a good bartending job at a busy, popular club or bar, you need to be prepared to work your tail off, seriously!

Bartending can be very challenging at times, after all, you are dealing with crowds of strangers that are drinking alcohol! It is so important that you really understand all of this before you choose to get a job as a bartender, so that you do not end up stressed out, exhausted and possibly even unhappy with your job. Be realistic, know the role before you decide to take part in it. If you are the type of person that can handle being on your feet all night, dealing with sometimes very rude, even drunk, people and running in circles for hours making drink after drink, while still carrying on a conversation with all of the customers so that you are not rude to them, then it is the job for you.

It is highly possible that if you do choose to become a bartender and you end up landing a bartending job at a popular club or bar, that your weekends will be spent at work, every weekend! After all, that is when these places are most crowded and the upside to this is, you could potentially make very large amounts of money working such hours in places like this. When I speak of the negative parts of being a bartender, I am not downing bartending at all, I just want you to completely understand how difficult the job could be on you, if you are not experienced and if you go into it without much knowledge. It is really hard on a person when they think they have it all figured out, as far as what their job requirements would be with a job, then once they begin, they realize they really had no idea what all their job would actually require of them, it can really be a let down when that happens.

Bartending, just like with many jobs, will require a great deal of your time, patience when dealing with customers and being able to do more than one thing at a time, without skipping a beat. With the proper amount of training and hands on experience, you can become the greatest, most popular bartender around town, just know that it is not always going to be easy though.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending-Might-Be-More-Difficult-Than-One-Might-Think&id=659562

What Makes Great Bartending Happen

2009-09-15T22:07:00.002+08:00

By Adebola Oni

Some people choose to become a bartender in hopes of making a career out of it while others simply to do to make them some extra cash for themselves. Either way it goes, bartending is exciting and will give you many different opportunities to meet new interesting people all the time and the money you can make if you become talented with your mixing techniques and communication skills might give you quite the shock. There is good money to be made from bartending, if you put in enough time and effort to learn new and improved skills to show off while you are working. Your customers will recognize your skills and talents and will be pleased to leave you awesome tips every time they leave your bar. Bartending is for a special type of person, you have to be a people person, good personality and all is a must to establish a good name for yourself in this type of business. Hard work and dedication will definitely get you far into a possible career as a bartender.

To be a great bartender, you have got to not only know how to make some of the most popular drinks out there, you will also need to know how to make some of the not so popular drinks, for those who enjoy them. You will want to make sure you are pro at every aspect of bartending, which is not just making drinks for people out having a good time. Bartending will open up so many new doors for you that you could never imagine. You will be shocked as to how many people you will get to know on a daily basis, it will seriously blow your mind. It will not all be fun and games, every good thing has a few bad things to go along with it at times. Like, very drunk, rude, obnoxious drunks, that are not so friendly and courteous of you, the bartender. With that in mind, just remember that it is your job, you love what you do and you have prepared yourself properly for dealing with these types of irritating people. You must always remain professional, sure, have fun with it, but do not lose your head with the jerks that you will in fact run across once in awhile. Any negative behavior that you possess would not look good to others and it could make a big difference in the amount of money you rake in.

Last but not least, you gotta move quickly if you want to be a great bartender. Bartending can get really hectic at time but you can not afford to slow down the pace, you will lose so much money if you do and tick a few people off, no doubt about that. So, be quick with your hands and smooth on your feet, to keep those customers happy and satisfied. They will love you for it and when you go home at night, you will know that you are an appreciated, well liked bartender.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Makes-Great-Bartending-Happen&id=659584

Does The ABC Bartending School Work For You

2009-09-14T21:58:00.000+08:00

By Bowe Packer

Are you thinking about becoming a bartender? Looking for a bartending school? Then there are a few things you need to know before pursuing a career as a bartender. Many of us might think that the job is a walk in the park. Well, I am here to say - Think again.

Becoming a bartender is no small feat. You have to posses a few qualities that frankly many of us don't really have. Or at least I can say don't really utilize very effectively. As a bartender you have to be attentive, even in the face of chaos. You must be organized, knowing where things are and having access to them at a given notice. You have to be able to think quick on your feet, another words make quick decisions. We may think we posses these qualities, but in this environment you must have those qualities ready available. And you must be able to turn them on and put them into overdrive, which many of us don't want to do.

Almost for every party you can normally find loads of drinks being served. These drinks come in all sizes, colors and potency. They can be the alcoholic variety and the non alcoholic type. For the non boozer type of drink all that you need to do is just serve the drinks as the guests like. For the alcohol-dependent drinks you must know something about these drinks or you should get a pro bartender. This is one of those trades that you may have a hard time BSing your way through it. It's simple you can either mix a drink or you can't. A school that has a good reputation and is fairly well know is the ABC Bartending School. Now before you go rush off and sign up do your research and make an educated decision on what school is right for you.

This school teaches a wide range of diversified people how to be top class bartenders in real life situations. There are many new classes that are being instructed at the ABC Bartending School every week. At all of these classes, students are granted pragmatic lessons in bartending and mixing drinks. Another words, they are taught from a real live perspective, not a lot of theory. The students learn the fine art of bartending behind a bar. Here they are faced with all of the implements that a bartender needs. This is important to know, because not all bartending schools offer such intense hands on training. Again, find out the facts before making a commitment.

As they advance through the courses the students of the ABC Bartending School are instructed the diverse aspects of being a bartender. Let's face it, to be good it takes more than just serving a good drink. It takes character and personality just to name a few other qualifications it takes to be a good bartender. They learn how to blend assorted types of alcoholic beverages and the correct names that many of these drinks are known as. They are conditioned to serving a multiple number of customers at the same time without getting the orders mixed up or all wrong. And as some of you may know, you could be tasked with remembering multiple orders. This is no small feat even for someone who has a sponge for a memory.

In addition the students are shown how to make and serve all of these drinks at a quick pace. What is a good bartender without speed. This is very important in a bar as well as at a party. Just for the simple fact, if there is a deficiency of quick servicing the customers will leave. And guess what? You will be dealing with the upset of your boss. This also teaches the beginner bartender the artistic production of being able to care for high pressure situations with a tranquil position and a upbeat demeanor. Bottom line it takes class, style, patiences and an excellent attitude.

While learning how to make and serve drinks the students of the ABC Bartending School also pick up on how to be a creditworthy bartender. This means knowing the safe guidelines for serving drinks to the various customers. As this is now a necessity in many states in the US. The students have the jump in this business because of their high caliber training system. This of course, is according to the ABC Bartending School information.

There are many other aspects to bartending that the ABC Bartending School teaches to all of its students. This is what makes them higher-ranking bartenders. Also, why they are able to find good paying jobs in diverse parts of the entertainment and hospitality trade with less trouble. The ABC Bartending School is know to speak the facts about what it takes to be an excellent bartender. It is these facts that make sure that its students can get great jobs because they have the hands on experience of bartending. When searching for a bartender school of choice get the facts. Learn all you can about the school. And remember The ABC Bartending School is one of many, who just has been around for a few years.

Bowe is the webmaster and content provider for Bartending website. Please visit his Bartending site and: get free bartending information right here.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Does-The-ABC-Bartending-School-Work-For-You&id=452137

What You Can Expect To Learn At An Online Bartending School

2009-09-13T21:54:00.000+08:00

By Gabriel J. Adams

Online bartending schools are a convenient solution for someone who’d like to learn the art of bartending but cannot afford the time or the fees required to learn this exciting skill. Worried that bartending needs a more hand’s-on approach for teaching? That’s a thing of the past. Online bartending schools are getting increasingly innovative and their courses include audio as well as video instructions complete with color photos, recipes and loads of tips and tricks. Move over Tom Cruise.

All course material that is sent to you includes embedded video, audio and color photos. For every drink that is included in the course you get a color photo complete with the kind of glassware to be used as well as the garnish. This is important as it helps you get familiar with the appearance of the drink. This is accompanied by a step-by step photo sequence of how to prepare the drink, as well as an audio of the instructor giving you helpful tips, tricks and summaries. Most bartending courses also include a video demonstration of how to prepare the drink.

At the end of every lesson there is a self-grading quiz that gives you your score after you answer it and also provides the correct answers. You have the option of re-taking all quizzes as many times as you need to till you are satisfied that you’ve finally got it! However the crucial test is the final quiz. It is akin to a final exam. It’s only after you pass the final exam that you get to unlock your certificate and can then call yourself a professional bartender.

For those who want to do a bartending course just to look like Tom Cruise in ‘Cocktail’, there’s good news! Many online courses include bonus video lessons that explain the fundamentals of flair bartending. You get to learn how to flip bottles in the air, slide them across the bar-top and plenty of other cool bartending maneuvers that are sure to make you look more showman than mere bartender.

Attend bartending school at http://www.bartend.com/

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?What-You-Can-Expect-To-Learn-At-An-Online-Bartending-School&id=736736

Land Your Dream Bartender Job

2009-09-12T21:48:00.002+08:00

One POWERFUL and SIMPLE technique that will GUARANTEE to get you the Bartender Job of your dreams!

When I decided to finally quit my bartending job and pursue a career as a full-time Mobile Bartender, I sat and reminisced with my manager who was sad to see me leave.

"Do you know why I hired you James?" She asked.

Her reason was astonishing yet very simple.

9 months prior, when I had applying for this bartending job, I had very little experience and was coming straight in off the street. The three other potential candidates for this bartending position were already employees of the restaurant who had been there for quite some time.

I still feel a little dumbfounded at the fact that I was chosen on such a whim and thrown right behind the bar to be given so much responsibility in so quickly. Needless to say, I LOVED my bartender job at this restaurant and it was definitely hard to pull myself away from the exciting nightlife and crazy tips I received!

So why me? Why did my manager choose me over these other well-qualified employees?

It was my resume! On it I conveyed my experience as a "Freelance Bartender" with two years of bartending experience! She was so impressed to see that I was a driven, responsible entrepreneur that she just could not pass up this opportunity to hire me! She never regretted her decision for a second.

So, want to land the bartender job of your dreams?

Add "Freelance Bartender" or "Mobile Bartender" to your resume! Its that simple! It gives you added experience while establishing you as a professional and responsible business owner.

Now, I am not asking that you lie! Go out and do it! Bartend at private events! It is fun, VERY lucrative and very easy!! If you are fresh out of bartending school, or you haven't been behind the bar in a while, Mobile Bartending is the best way to "get back in the swing of things!"

James Wedmore

After creating an extremely lucrative Bartending Business Empire, James has developed a perfect System that lays out the exact blueprints for success in your very own Bartending Business. Whether you are looking for picking up an extra event or two per month, or you interested in creating an entire army of bartenders and servers, James can teach you how in his comprehensive program: The Bartend-4-Profit System.
Bartender Jobs

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Land-Your-Dream-Bartender-Job!&id=1382525

How to Become a Bartender - Timing Can Be Everything

2009-09-11T21:44:00.003+08:00

By B.J. Williams

Do you want to know the type of establishment that often hires first time bartenders, trains you in fantastic customer relation skills, and once on your resume will help you get a job just about any place in town? Learn how to become a bartender and get bartending jobs in the fastest way possible and with absolutely no bartending experience.

The Place

The answer to the above question is Country Clubs. The 1990's and the early years of this decade saw an explosive growth in the private club industry - especially Golf and Country Clubs. There are good ones in almost every moderately sized American city. This means there are probably some near you. Country Clubs care more about an employee's attitude and personality then they do about bartending experience. So if you want to know how to become a bartender without any experience at all, you're answer is Country Clubs.. You can learn how to become a bartender on the job and get paid while you learn.

Country Clubs, depending on the location (but also in general), have two busy seasons. The long busyseason is the summer and if you time your application to come in around mid April to mid May, you are almost guaranteed a job - especially when you use the tactics discussed in this article.

The other busy season is Thanksgiving to New Years because Country Clubs do lots of banquets. Hint : If you apply about 1 week before Mother's Day (the busiest brunch of the year) or in late August/early September; you will have an additional advantage. Country Clubs often rely on the labor of college students. This makes the beginning and end of the summer busy season difficult because most college students are still in school.

These are not the only times to apply, just the ones that will give you the greatest leverage and increase your chances of getting your first bartending job and learning how to become a bartender.

The Steps

Step 1: Get the names and e-mail addresses of the Food and Beverage Director at 5 Country Clubs in your area. If you can't find the e-mail address on their website (some country clubs have terrible sites) just call and ask for it. Explain that you want to send in a resume and most places will give it out easily. Just make sure you get it for the Food and Beverage Director (Manager).

Step 2: Write a cover letter with a customer service story. Conflict resolution and sales stories work great in bartending cover letters but at Country Clubs, Service is King. Stress that you understand what it is like to have repeat business, give impeccable customer service, and go above and beyond customer expectations. E-mail your cover letter and resume (as attachments) to the F&B Director. In the e-mail body explain that you are excited to work there and hope he/she will look over your resume. Include your phone contact information.

Step 3: If you have heard back, awesome. If not, call the F&B Director the next day. DO NOT call during a busy time. Try to call between 2:00 and 4:00. This is a slow time. When you do get in touch with the F&B explain that you sent a resume and are following up hoping for an interview. Be Persistent. Things get hectic at a Country Club, especially when there isn't a full staff yet. Call once a day for a couple of days if you have to. Re-send the e-mail if necessary. If you want to learn how to become a bartender you will have to be a little persistent.

Step 4: Ace the interview. Remember that Country Clubs put a lot of stock in personality and attitude. Present your self as mature, reliable, likeable, friendly, out-going, and customer service oriented. Bring your A game and you will get your first bartending job.

The Pros and Cons

Country Clubs have both pros and cons. I'd like to tell you a little about both so you know what you are getting into.

Pros

Great place for your first bartending job

Will learn both regular and banquet bartending skills

Training can be phenomenal (especially on customer service)- Learn how to become a bartender on the job and get paid while doing it.

You interact and meet the most influential people in your community (great if you're in school and not looking for a bartending career b/c members own businesses and often offer jobs to those they know who graduate from school. Even if they don't have something for you they know people who do!)

Can be lots of fun

Some places allow uses of their facilities (DO NOT ask about this in the interview)

Good Money

Cons

Tips are often pooled - This means that all the checks have a gratuity on them and this service charge gets pooled amongst all the staff. This means it isn't a traditional bartending job where you can expect to take home $100+ cash a shift. Chances are you will earn some cash, but most of your earnings will be in your paycheck. The bright side is that this is why you will be able to get the job with no experience. Experienced bartenders want cash immediately. If you are willing to make $13-$18 an hour, while you learn how to become a bartender, with some supplemental cash - country clubs are perfect.

May include early morning shifts. This is unusual for bartending jobs but a fact of life at Country Clubs. Morning shifts pop up from time to time. If you are an aspiring bartender looking to get started those are really the only cons I can think of.

Conclusion

Country Clubs are a great place to start your bartending career. They have bartending jobs available to those with great attitudes but no experience. Another pro of starting at a country club is that most businesses in town will look favorably upon your experience there. Work for a summer at a club with a good reputation and all the good restaurants in town will be sure to hire you. Then you can work 3-4 nights a week and make a healthy cash living. You got paid to learn how to become a bartender at the Country Club and can now leverage that experience into a phenomenal "cash" bartending job. Happy hunting.

Brian Williams has over 12 years in the Bar, Bartending and Food and Beverage industries. He has helped dozens of people get a bartending job through his Seven Secrets Program. His program and free "Get a Bartending Job" Newsletter are available at How to Get a Bartending Job

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Become-a-Bartender---Timing-Can-Be-Everything&id=1093390

Are You Up for the Job?

2009-09-10T21:40:00.000+08:00

By Keith Londrie

Bartending seems like a pretty easy occupation. Even people who have never been to Bartending School or have other similar education jump into the bartending business thinking that bartending the same as any other business.

Indeed if you plan to hire people for absolutely everything including a manager who knows the secrets of bartending the whole venture can be quire simple or at least business-book simple. However this doesn’t make you the bartender but the investor.

The obvious things such finding a location of the bar, buying all the furnishing and equipment are straight forward. All you need is a good research and planning and you can be ready in less than a month.

Hiring the personnel and keeping the people who work for you is the hard part. Obviously your employees must be satisfied with the job. However keeping bar staff happy might turn into a nightmare. Bar staff should be treated differently than the staff of a regular company and the traditional boss-to-workers behavior is in most cases useless. Your people will be pt into big pressure, working ling hours, dealing with other people who are sometimes drunk, dealing with money. Take all of these into account when creating the working practices in your bar.

Bartending includes another dark side which is often underestimated. Dealing with customers can also be a tricky thing. As in any company the customers are the most important part of your business. If you don’t have customers your business will dye. The big difference between bartending and any other business is that bar customers usually come to the bar not because of the drinks offered but because of the bartender and the atmosphere.

The list can go on an on as there are hundreds of things any bartender should know. For example as a bartender you will have to memorize a large quantity if drinks and learn to prepare them quickly. Also you will be responsible for keeping the bar well supplied with all of the drinks that are in the menu. This requires a very good knowledge of how the drinking patterns of your customers.

Finally you should make sure your customers are having fun and enjoy spending their time in you r bar. You should think well in advance how this can be achieved. Do not e surprised if this task turns out to be harder than you have excepted – the competition between bars is huge and each is trying to beat the rest by being unique. The theme of your bar depends on the location, your primarily type of customers and the opening hours. You can choose to have a karaoke bar, a live music bar, bar with pool, jazz bar, etc. the chose is quite large so do your homework first and pick up the best option.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending---Are-You-Up-for-the-Job?&id=628639

What To Expect From Bartending School

2009-09-09T21:30:00.000+08:00

By Gabriel J. Adams

When attending bar tending school, a student must learn a wide variety of things in order to become a good bartender. In addition to learning how to make drinks, there are several other areas of bar tending that often go unnoticed.

Of course, drink making is of the top priority. After all, people are quite picky about their drinks. And, since purchasing alcohol from a tavern or other venue is generally somewhat expensive, people expect to get quality. In addition, a bar tender that serves great drinks will make more money in the form of tips.

As such, the primary focus of bartending school is to teach how to accurately mix and create a number of different drinks. In order to pass the examinations of bartending school, students have to be able to create a number of different drinks upon request and without referring back to a book or to notes.

Flair is also an important component of bartending. Therefore, some bartending schools will actually teach the students how to tend bar with style and with pizazz.

Bartenders are also responsible for keeping everything behind the bar neat and orderly. Therefore, bartending school teaches students how to set up the bar, how to keep the alcohol fresh, and how to make sure everything else is neat and sanitary.

Customer relations is another important aspect of bartending. Therefore, students are taught customer skill. In addition, they are taught how to recognize when someone has had too much to drink or when someone might need to be removed from the bar.

Since bartenders are responsible for taking money from customers and providing them with correct change, cash handling is also covered in bartending school. The faster the student is able to complete transactions, the happier his or her patrons will be!

Go to bartending school at http://www.bartend.com/

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?What-To-Expect-From-Bartending-School&id=736753

Drink Serving Do's and Don'ts

2009-09-08T21:24:00.003+08:00

By Jim Slate

Being a bartender is a lot harder than most people realize. You are basically a kind of chef, making a million mini dishes, served of course in a plethora of glasses, based on literally thousands of recipes, and utilizing as many as several hundred different ingredients. All of this is performed live, in front of the customer, as they wait patient or not to be served. Based on your performance under this high pressure situation, you will be tipped, or not, depending on the patrons whims.

However bartending is about so much more than just serving up drinks. It is a social profession, where you will be judged more by popularity than by skill, although the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The following are a couple of important tips that anyone seeking to join this profession should know.

First of all, you have to understand the art of conversation. You want to make friends with everyone that enters the establishment. However these are not buddies that you can just say whatever you like to. There are certain topics of conversation that should be expressly forbidden. These include politics, religion, and personal conditions. Instead you should seek to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and engaged in an unthreatening environment.

Another important aspect of bartending is keeping the environment itself clean. Every drink should be served with a beverage coaster, and you should make sure to wipe down the bar after every serving.

One overlooked aspect of this profession is the actual serving. When handing a glass to someone, most people pick it up by the rim and slog it over. However as a bartender you have to be aware that people might not want to put their lips somewhere where your hand just was. Instead you should hold the glass by its base or stem, and slide it gently to the customer.

Bartending is a challenging profession. Not only do you have to worry about the quality of your recipes, but you also have to ensure that the environment itself is affable and inviting. It takes some practice to get used to the various roles a bartender must play, but if you are up to the challenge it can be an exciting and rewarding profession.

This article was written by Jim Slate. If you are looking for the worlds largest selection of attractive, durable, and all natural drink coasters, then visit http://coasters.PebbleZ.com - There you will find a huge selection of slate, sandstone, marble, and even semi precious gemstone coasters, as well as a variety of other attractive stone home decor accessories.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending---Drink-Serving-Dos-and-Donts&id=2904642

Mnemonic Bartending

2009-09-07T21:21:00.004+08:00

By John S Freeman

Mnemonic bartending just means memorizing or enhancing your memory of complex information through the use of ideas, letters and patterns. Mnemonics are just devices that help bartenders memorize information.

If you visit any bar in town, you will meet bartenders who are professionals in mixing your favorite drinks. Bartenders are trained to mix the drinks so fast that it is just unbelievable. You might see some of the flair bartending techniques being used to mix these bartender drinks are very unique.

They are always required to memorize hundreds of bartender mix drinks Most of the cocktail recipes and drinks are coffee and fruit based. The bartenders go through Bartending School and other training in order to become certified.

Many bartenders have been able to memorize complicated information through audio learning. They have done well in foreign languages and other corporate sales training. Books and index cards have aided bartenders to perfect and remember mix drinks well.

However, those who have problems with bartender courses and can't successfully remember their training should seek aid from bartender audios. This is a memorization system that helps you recall bartender mix drinks by using specific cognitive methods. It normally combines the audio learning and the proven memory methods to successfully reduce the load of memorizing too much.

Professionals who have performed well in the bartending industry have a well developed memorization system. Their systems utilize mnemonics methods, word association and repetition to ensure that they never forget a drink.

If you are aspiring toward a bartender career and to become a good cocktail recipe mixer, then you don't need to be worried. Your bartender skills can still be as good as the others who go through conventional training. You can be more just as good as or, even better than the already existing professionals and can become a super star in mixology.

Bartenders are expected to have sharp memory in order to serve the consumers well. You need to do a few "magic tricks" with glasses to loosen the customer's pockets. At the end of the day, bosses will only go for bartenders who have the ability to make money. Bartending requires a good mental capacity. You need to use mnemonic tools in order to learn mnemonic sentences and memorize cocktails recipes.

Good looks and a sharp memory describe the best bartenders. If you have a good personality, are well groomed, and can remember drink recipes then you deserve to be in this field. You must listen to the customers and know what they want; you must have the capability of remembering the customers' names and socialize widely among them.

Most bartenders will use mnemonics to remember mix drinks and handle their money. You must be aware when receiving a customer's pay. Any loses will definitely mean a cut on your pay. Bartenders must be very fast when serving. Even a slight delay may lead to loosing customers.

Knowledge in liquor, wines and other things of that sort have helped bartenders to remember mix drinks. But it doesn't mean that you don't need. It could prove the most valuable tool you have to progress and maintain your bartending career.

Bartender Audio will teach you how to make mix drinks through Audio, mnemonics and interactive training presentations plus many extras.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Mnemonic-Bartending&id=2876180

Learn How "Dirty Names" Can Create More Fun And Tips

2009-09-06T00:02:00.001+08:00

By Michael Alaniz

By now everyone knows that the standard tip is one dollar per drink so in order for someone to tip above and beyond the normal one drink = one dollar you're going to have to offer a bit more as a bartender.

One of the best opportunities for boosting your tips is when guests come to the bar looking to do a few shots. For starters, no one likes to do shots alone so they'll probably have a few friends with them. Now even though most people come to the bar knowing exactly which shot they want to take, everyone is open to what the bartender recommends. This is where the magic of dirty named drinks come in, I have always had 2-3 dirty (really dirty) named shots memorized and ready to suggest. I simply tell the group that "they have to try my "speciality" and once the guest hears the name of the shot (the dirty named shot) and the laughter dies down, everyone is in on it.

You can then take it one step further by creating some "special" way in which everyone has to take the shot. For example, I have a shot called "Kiss my ass" and right before everyone takes the shot each person has to yell out someone's name. This draws a lot of attention to the group and they usually want to do another one. It's this kind of creativity that generates more than the average one dollar tip so put that dirty mind of yours to use and create a few dirty shots of your own!

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending-Learn-How-Dirty-Names-Can-Create-More-Fun-And-Tips&id=1171020

Choosing a Bartending Service For Your Event

2009-09-05T23:58:00.000+08:00

By Rafi Michael

Bar Mitzvah ceremonies, confirmations, weddings, and engagement parties - all these will require one to choose a bartending service. Using professional bartenders is one of the best options. This is because the highly trained bartenders will know how to mix the drinks in the right quantities. They will probably have trained at a Toronto bartending school and they will be licensed bartenders. To choose the best Toronto bartenders for an event, one will have to consider a few things from the offered list of licensed bartenders.

Some professional bartenders in Canada give one the option of using their alcohol or bringing their own. Their major responsibility is to serve the guests at the event whether at corporate functions or private parties. Before booking any highly trained bartenders, one can seek advice from them and they can tell one what beverage service to use. They can also give one estimates of their costs to see how it will fit in the budget. Someone from a Toronto bartending school is highly trained to work with whatever theme one wants to go with. For holiday parties in even Ontario, one can choose to have the highly trained bartenders dressed in informal wear such as shorts. In corporate functions, one can opt to have the licensed bartenders from a Toronto bartending school dressed in formal wear to create a mood of formality.

When choosing a bartending service it is important to get highly trained bartenders who know how to handle unexpected situations. Knowledgeable and licensed bartenders give reputable services and they would not find it hard handling such situations. It is also important to get Toronto bartenders who can handle clients in a boat in case the events are boat cruises. This is because they will need to get servers who do not get seasick. When choosing a bartending service, it is advisable to give an estimate of the people in the guest list. The highly trained bartenders need to bring enough liquor for the.

Toronto bartending is highly professional and most bartenders can adapt to various situations. Most will provide one with a beverage list that has selections of wines and beer. They can also suggest popular drinks. One can also substitute certain drinks if they feel the ones supplied do not with the theme of the event or if they feel they are too expensive. One should therefore choose a bartending service that is flexible enough to accommodate any changing plan. Event managers and event captains can also help one choose a bartending service. This is because in their line of work they have to deal with licensed bartenders who deliver the best services. They also know more about Toronto bartending and can advise one on the waiter staff services. Event managers are more experienced in the major themes one can use for an event and can therefore coordinate the bartending service to match the theme.

In conclusion, when choosing a bartending service one should make sure that the bartenders are within the allocated budget. Getting professional bartenders will make the event run smoothly as they have been trained on how to deliver their services efficiently.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Choosing-a-Bartending-Service-For-Your-Event&id=1451106

How Much Can You Really Make?

2009-09-04T23:55:00.000+08:00

By B.J. Williams

Something you probably already know is that the cycles of the economy come and go, wax and wane, bull and bear. Something you may not know is that a bartending job may be one of the best ways to recession proof your income. I've been behind the wood for over a dozen years now and have worked through all cycles of the economy and here is the weird part. When the economy isn't doing well, bar business can actually go up.

The only evidence I have for this is anecdotal but its true. When the economy suffers people spend more time in bars. I am not sure why this is true. Even with all the doom and gloom in the news lately (today is 24 Feb 2008) I still don't see how a recession directly effects most people. Maybe that's why I failed high school economics. The way I see it people have their salaries and regardless of the economy their salaries stay the same. But still bar business goes up as the state of the economy goes down. Molson Coors Brewing Co opened the year 2008 at about $50. Their stock started to slowly fall and made it down to about $46. As talk of this recession heated up their stock price rose past their year high to almost $54. I am no economist and this very well could be coincidental but I find it interesting.

I realize that for some people the state of the economy can directly effect their income. This holds true mostly for small business owners and people in the ever growing pay-for-performance work force. Business does slow down for most small businesses and pay-for-performance workers (usually salespeople) do have a tougher time closing the deal during a recession. But there is good news. Why not take a part-time job as a bartender?

I have known more than a few small business owners and salespeople who have bartended part-time to earn extra income. One friend owned a Subway franchise and a bartending job while he was just starting out gave him a tremendous boost. One student of mine owned a carpet cleaning service and worked at a bartending job 3 nights a week. He nearly made as much bartending as he did with his business. Another student was a NYC Corrections Officer and had a bartending job 2 nights a week at a local dive bar. Through word of mouth and a great personality he packed the place on Wednesdays and Thursdays. He was making close to $700 a week in just 2 nights.

These are all great examples of how anyone can recession proof their income. If you are part of the pay-for-performance workforce and would like to try to stabilize your income a bartending job may be just what you need. When your day job slows down your bartending job will pick up. This is a great way to mitigate your risk and stabilize your income.

Even if you aren't in the pay-for-performance workforce, a bartending job may be exactly what you need. A recession often means that companies aren't hiring as much so take a bartending job to hold you over until the storm passes. I have used this strategy myself. I was in a corporate Food and Beverage Director job that I knew I had to leave and didn't want to wait until I found something better. I got a bartending job 4 nights a week and quit. Having the days off made it easy to look for another job and my income didn't suffer at all because I was bartending at night.

A bartending job truly can be the remedy you are looking for if the recession has hit you in the wallet. Even if you have never bartended before finding a great bartending job is easy if you have the right plan. To sign up for my free "Get a Bartending Job" Newsletter visit my website at www.getabartendingjob.com

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending-Jobs---How-Much-Can-You-Really-Make?&id=991848

The Downsides of Bartending School

2009-09-03T23:50:00.000+08:00

By Robert Korepta

The increase in job seekers considering learning to bartend has lead to something of an explosion in schools and colleges offering bartending as a course. With these courses, the purveyors claim, any would-be bartender can come and learn the art of drink mixing, all under the guidance of a qualified and experienced bartender and tutor.

The idea does, in principal, seem wonderful. Yet there are many drawbacks. To begin with, actively attending a college or school is extremely time consuming; not only do you have to factor in the time spent in each class, but traveling does take up a lot of time. Suddenly, the weekly amount of hours you intend to spend learning how to bartend can double, just through the commute alone. This problems become exceedingly difficult to fit around a current work or education timetable. The answer in these instances may seem to be night school, but these too are fraught with difficulty. The same problem with time applies, added on to the fact that at the end of a normal working day, you are required to push yourself further. How many times do you come home and just want to kick back in front of the television with takeout, and how many times do you actively feel like going and learning something new? Night school courses are all well and good when they can be your sole focus, but trying to attend while holding down a job or study schedule is extremely difficult. If you do decide to stop attending halfway through, you lose the money.

There is also the issue of the money itself in general. With a school or college course, many factors are put into the price. This includes the cost of the teacher, venue hire, textbooks, electricity and a thousand and one other incidental amounts that must be covered by the course fees. The overheads and tax problems alone making learning at an institute an undesirable prospect unless one really does have more money than sense. However, there is a way. What is taught at a school or college, in terms of bartending, is largely theoretical. It is learning what goes into a drink and how these are prepared, possibly with some help in memorizing them. Why pay someone else to teach you this, when there are ways and means of obtaining the necessary information yourself, and learning for yourself?

Prices of the raw materials are extremely competitive, and online courses such as audio training can do the rest. There is no theory needed for learning to bartend and no need for interpretation, so no need for an actual individual to be explaining things. The information doesn't change, but the cost of a person teaching it to you and you teaching it to yourself using an online or audio guide does. The other benefits of learning for yourself are huge. You can fit it around your own schedule, have help when you need it and learn by yourself without the distractions of other classmates. If you wish to learn to bartend, by far the best option is to learn with an audio course, at your own pace.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Learn-to-Bartend---The-Downsides-of-Bartending-School&id=1979506

The Bartending Experience

2009-09-02T23:46:00.000+08:00

New Ways to Say the Same Old Thing
By B.J. Williams

Bartenders find themselves in the same customer service situations time and time again. While bartending experience is the only way to develop confidence and presence behind the bar, there are some shortcuts for the new bartender. These sayings can be used to dramatically increase your professional image and your tips.

The Open
When customers approach your bar, please do not use the term "you guys." As a manager and a customer nothing drives me crazier than the phrase "Hi, how are you guys doing tonight?" It's too informal and comes off not only relaxed, but not smart. (I'm being kind here.)

Try this new phrase instead. "Hi, ladies and gentlemen, what can I do for you this evening?" The phrases "ladies", "gentlemen" and "ladies and gentlemen," depending on the make up of the group, are a 1000% improvement on "you guys." Also, instead of asking how they are doing you are asking what you can do for them. This is more to the point and will limit the uncomfortable silences when someone tells you just how bad there day has been. You don't actually want to know how they are doing, so please don't ask.

The Apology
Often in the bar industry a customer has to wait before you can properly give them service. Always acknowledge a customer as quickly as possible. A simple hello or "one moment please" will suffice but go out of your way to let them know that you are aware that they are waiting. When it becomes their turn for service do not use the standard "Sorry to keep you waiting." It denotes that it is your fault and puts customers in a negative state of mind. Instead try to use the phrase "Thank you for your patience, what can I do for you?" Instead of apologizing for something that isn't your fault you thank the customer for waiting. The term "thank you" as opposed to "sorry" is much more positive and will help to put the customer in a positive frame of mind. This simple and subtle change will give you more confidence and presence behind the bar. It will help to improve the overall "feel" and atmosphere at your bar. People will know they are dealing with a professional and will tip accordingly.

Acknowledging Thanks
When you speak in the above manner your are showing your patrons the utmost respect. It takes giving respect in order to get it back. Speak this way and you will realize that your customers will treat you differently. You will be projecting a more mature, professional image.

When your customers view you as a professional, not only will your tips increase but so will the acknowledgements of a job well done. I like to call these acknowledgments, "verbal gratuities." Your customer will give you a compliment. It is now your job to turn that verbal gratuity into an actual monetary gratuity. One easy way to ruin a verbal gratuity is to say "No Problem." Again the connotation is negative and off putting. Of course it wasn't a problem, it was your job. Some in the service industry have realized how negative "No Problem" can sound and have begun using the correct "You Welcome." While this phrase is acceptable, remember that we are trying to turn that verbal tip into a monetary one and now is not the time to shortchange your customer. Answer with a simple "My Pleasure."

When you first start to use "My Pleasure" it may feel a little cheesy but the more you do it, the better it feels. Alternately use "Absolutely, anytime" if it helps you to get comfortable with "my pleasure." I have witnessed tips skyrocket in restaurants and bars when the staff makes a commitment to using the term "my pleasure." Think about how simple it is to replace two words and use "my pleasure" instead. When we implemented this at a private club where I worked, tips increased 120% and stayed at the level. It wasn't a short term spike just when we started. It was permanent. I was blown away. I know the exact number of the increase because all tips were signed onto the checks at this private club, no cash. I was in charge of distributing the tips. It was unbelievable.

In conclusion, the simple act of changing a few phrases can dramatically increase your tips. Try these new ways to say the same old thing. If you are a new bartender these simple tips will greatly improve your image behind the bar. Think of some other phrases you use on a daily, if not hourly basis. Could you be saying these better too?

Not only will your tips and image improve but you will also have a better bartending experience. Bartending is always more fun when the customers respect you, give you compliments and tip well. You can achieve all three of these goals by simply changing your vocabulary. Good Luck.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Bartending-Experience---New-Ways-to-Say-the-Same-Old-Thing&id=1050140

Professional Bartending As a Career Move

2009-09-01T23:39:00.002+08:00

By Mike Selvon

If you're looking for an exciting career with great opportunities, then professional bartending may be a good career choice for you. Before choosing that career, however, you'll need to decide whether you're willing to accept the risks and responsibilities that go hand in hand with a bartending job.

Make sure the local demand for bartenders is high enough that you won't have to struggle to find an open position. Having the right skills and traits, or knowing where and how to acquire them, will also make a world of difference.

Bartending professionally requires a pretty specific skill set. Some say the most important qualification for being a good barkeep is exceptional social skills. Bartenders do best when they use humorous, friendly, borderline flirtatious attitudes.

The truth is, most people become more social when they're drinking. It would only make sense, then, that they would want a bartender who can joke around with them, and even join them in conversation.

When a customer feels as though the bartender is "one of them," they generally tip much better. As a bartender, your income depends heavily on what tips your customers give you. The second most important prerequisite for being a bartender is having a detailed memory.

A barman or barmaid, as a general rule, simply does not have the time to be writing down orders or looking up mixed drink recipes. In order to be successful, they must be able to instantly recall the steps and ingredients necessary to make any drink the customer orders. The longer it takes to make the drinks, the less money is made.

While keeping a friendly attitude is important for a female bartender, it is even more important to ensure that your customers do not misread your sociability. Some men can be dangerous when intoxicated, so they need to understand where the line is drawn.

Many bars now have a policy that all employees walk in groups of 2 or more to their vehicles at the end of the night, to minimize risks of unruly customers causing trouble. Watching for suspicious behavior, as well as refusing to sell alcohol to an already intoxicated customer, will also help reduce risks common to professional bartending. This may mean asking an aggressive customer to leave the establishment.

Professional bartending definitely has its pros and cons. As a bartender, it's much harder to avoid drinking too much or too often. Many people have found that they cannot handle being around alcohol all the time, as "social" drinking often becomes a daily event.

The right person, however, can easily earn a very good income working only part time. You'll meet some interesting people, many of whom may become "regulars." You'll hear hilarious stories, and develop great friendships with co-workers and customers. If you have the personality, then providing bartending services can be a wonderful and exciting career path.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Professional-Bartending-As-a-Career-Move&id=1240011

Bartenders Guide

2009-08-31T21:31:00.000+08:00

How to Start a Bartending Business

Whether you currently bartend or work in a bar/restaurant or you have only dreamed about becoming a bartender, starting your own business Bartending at wedding and private parties is much easier than you can imagine.

With minimal start-up capital, lucrative results, and a fun and exciting atmosphere, it is no wonder bartending for yourself is such a great option. Whether you are looking for a supplemental income on the side or a full-time career change, the exciting world of Mobile Bartending offers you endless possibilities.

Below is a list of simplified steps to get you and your business started today:

Learn How to Bartend:

Forget the $500 Bartending School or the 10-pound book boasting 7,000 recipes, no more than 50 drinks will be asked of you by your guests at special events. It is much easier than you think to learn how to bartend but it must be the first step you take before building your business.

Define Your Services:

Writing a small business plan will always help you gather ideas for marketing and the structure of your services. You need to ask yourself what your services include and how much you are going to charge. Visualize yourself going through each step with a new client. How do you answer the phone, what type of questions will they have for you, can you answer those questions? Do you provide a portable bar or bartending tools? What are your policies and guarantees?

Purchase Your Bartending Tools:

Before you show up to your first event, your client will expect some of the following: Martini Shaker, Bottle Opener/Wine Key, Ice Scoop, Coolers, Bar Towels and more. You will want to consider purchasing a portable bar as well as other optional equipment: garnish tray, salt rimmer, bar mat & speed pourers.

Promote Yourself:

You must get your name out there and let your friends and family know what services you offer. Start by getting business cards made and then pass them out to friends and family. Once you get your first event, you are bound to find other guests who are in need of a bartender so promote your services at your bar!

Properly marketing your bartending services is the key ingredient to landing the best parties and charging premium prices.

Take it to the Web:

Having your own virtual storefront with pictures and compelling copy is an extremely valuable asset to any business owner. You can have a simple 5 page website created for you through Elance.com for less than $200.00. Make sure to include your contact information, details on your services, and pictures.

Expand:

The options for expanding your business to generate more income is endless. Can you advertise in other areas, hire more bartenders, offer a full line of servers, DJ's and rented glassware?

After landing your first Bartending Gig, you will quickly realize how fun and exciting the life of an Independent Bartender is. You get paid to get people drunk and the best part is, you are your own boss!

James Wedmore

After creating an extremely lucrative Bartending Business Empire, James has developed a perfect System that lays out the exact blueprints for success in your very own Bartending Business. Whether you are looking for picking up an extra event or two per month, or you interested in creating an entire army of bartenders and servers, James can teach you how in his comprehensive program: The Bartend-4-Profit System.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartenders-Guide---How-to-Start-a-Bartending-Business&id=1115498

Is Bartending School a Good Option For You?

2009-08-30T23:47:00.000+08:00

By Mike Selvon

Bartending has been portrayed by the media as running the gamut from exciting, as in movies like Cocktail, to not so thrilling, as in the bartender Mo in the Simpsons. As with any other job, a bartending job has its ups and downs, but it really depends on the person who is pursuing the career.

A bartending school is a great idea for someone who is looking to make bartending into a full time occupation. Bartending services run the gamut from just pouring beers in a local tavern, all the way to working in posh restaurants and knowing how to mix drinks. Finding the best school to attend to learn how to bartend is very important; you need to know what your options are.

Have you been known to mix a drink or two after hours for friends and family? You might have a thriving career already and would just like to learn how to emulate the flair bartenders you have seen in the movies. Possibly you just want to earn a little extra cash. You may think that attending school for bartending is out of the question.

After all, it would be impractical to pay for schooling just for a hobby or a weekend job, wouldn't it? Actually, it wouldn't be impractical at all! Take a look online and you will find that there are online bartending schools. These schools are ideal for the person who is looking to pickup bartending skills as a hobby.

If you are looking for focused, hands on experience in a bartending school and wish bartending to be your career, then you will want to attend an actual school. There are several schools that provide extensive courses on bartending. Bartending schools are highly attended, and introduce hundreds of new bartenders into the bar scene each year.

These schools command higher prices, but the bartending training you receive will be well worth it! Most big name schools have locations across the country. Chances are there may be a bartending school in your neighborhood! The range of expertise these schools provide is impressive, from training students how to effectively mix drinks, to being able to identify when someone has consumed too much.

So if you are serious about making bartending your career, then you will want to look into the best bartending school for you and your needs. Another positive aspect of attending a school is that you have a good chance of getting help in finding placement once you graduate.

Many great establishments know that bartending schools are the best place to find excellent bartenders and they work with the schools to find the best bartending job for you. This reason alone makes bartending training schools a great choice to pursue.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-Bartending-School-a-Good-Option-For-You?&id=1223536

Bartending Tips to Cure Hangover

2009-08-29T18:47:00.001+08:00

By Michael Russell

It happens to all of us. OK, maybe not to all of us, as some never drink alcohol (fitness, religion, abstinence) while others drink moderately. But it does happen to many of us. Too much alcohol and the morning after is ruined. You probably remember the symptoms of a hangover: dehydration and incontrollable thirst, vertigo, muscle aches and redness of the eyes and let’s not forget tiredness and sensitivity to light. In some cases, to complete “the fun” you might add to the list diarrhea, trembling and difficulty to sleep.

To avoid all these problems there are some bartending tips that you should know. Bartenders are familiar with what types of alcohol cause what types of hangovers. For example red wine and dark liquors cause the strongest hangovers because they have the largest amount of toxins. White drinks (wine, vodka, gin and white schnapps) lead to lighter hangovers. Because of its impurities and the carbonation, beer might cause really nasty hangovers. Many beer drinkers say that there’s nothing worse than a beer hangover. The carbonation in drinks (including sparkling wines) speeds up the absorption of alcohol. This is why, after drinking champagne or sparkling wine women get easily drunk, despite the low concentration of alcohol (compared to vodka, bourbon and other strong drinks). One of the reasons why bartenders know so much about the different effects of each drink on your body is that they need to mix up drinks to create those tasty cocktails that crown an exotic evening. What you don’t know (but should learn from bartending) is that combining drinks leads to the worse possible hangovers you can imagine.

And here are the most important bartending tips to cure your hangover:

- Don’t drink more. Many alcohol consumers believe that a small drink (or a beer) will act as a remedy. Well it doesn’t. It might give you the illusion that you feel better, but in truth you will only cause unnecessary aggression upon your liver.

- Coffee is no remedy either: it is a diuretic and a vasoconstrictor. It will only increase the severity of the hangover, so avoid drinking it.

- A popular remedy is eating raw eggs. This is indeed a remedy, if you can take it. If not, here is a bartending tip: separate the yolk from the white. Put the yolk into a coffee cup, add one teaspoon of sugar and mix till you form a creamy paste. That won’t taste so bad. The reason why the yolk works as a remedy is that it contains cysteine – a very important antioxidant and a substance fundamental to help the liver produce glutathione (and fight against the toxic effect of the alcohol).

- Eating bananas or kiwis will work too. These are rich in potassium and eating them will make up for the loss of potassium caused by the diuretic effect of the alcohol.

- Last but not least, drink water and juices. Sugar is important to leverage your body’s energy so you might want to add some sugar into the water.

And these are some of the tips known by any professional bartender. If you want to know the best tip to prevent hangovers, here it goes: don’t drink.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending-Tips-to-Cure-Hangover&id=572271

Bartending For Beginners

2009-08-28T21:27:00.000+08:00

How To Make It A Rewarding Career
By Abhishek Agarwal

Everyone likes to imagine they can do it. Bartending looks simple. Mix a few cocktails, chat to people. What could be easier? But in fact bartending is a skill that takes time to learn.

The bartender who can stand chatting to customers while he or she polishes a glass is a bartender who has got a well organized bar and is on top of the business of bartending. So if you plan to go into bartending take the thing seriously and learn how to do it properly.

You may be able to study bartending at college or take an online course. This should give the beginning bartender a lot of valuable know how. If you want to make a career out of bartending and especially if you want to open your own bar then you should think about taking a course. A good course in bartending will steer you round a lot of pitfalls.

Your first step is to know your drinks. If you are serving wines then learn where they come from. Get to know your beers. If you need to serve beers from the cask then learn to draw them properly. If your bar serves cocktails then learn their names and the recipes of the most popular ones.

The customer does not want to see the bartender reading the ingredients as they mix the drink. A good bartender knows these off by heart. As your experience develops you must be constantly expanding your repertoire. The bigger the bartender's repertoire the classier the bar they can work in and the better the pay will be.

Knowing your drinks is more important that the juggling tricks that some bartenders go in for. These are all very well in some bars but they are as irritating as waiters that dance on the tables. A customer might find it amusing once but after a hard day's work no one wants to see a bartender juggle with the bottles. A well mixed drink and some conversation is preferable.

The champagne swilling hedge fund managers will entertain themselves when business is good. When it's bad they just want a shoulder to cry on. Being a cross between a psychiatrist and a mother is the role of the bartender.

The bartender who has every cork screw, shaker and bottle in its place and knows the drinks is a profitable bartender. An efficient bartender can serve the customers quickly and politely even when the bar is busy. What is more they have an eye on profit margins. There is no wastage. A couple of smashed bottles of spirits will make a serious dent in the establishment's profits.

The mark up on drinks may be high but so are the rents on prime real estate in a good business area. The bartender must be aware of best business practice. There is always an element of theatre in a bar but that should never override the primary aim which is to make a profit.

A good bartender will increase the profitability of a bar. This is important whether you are setting up your own place and hiring bartenders or you are a bartender looking for a job. As a skilled bartender you are a marketable commodity.

Some people start out in bartending as a way to pay their way through college and then find that it becomes their career. They get to like the work and as a graduate they have the intellectual ability to make a go of what is a very competitive business. One last word to the beginning bartender: never drink. That has been the downfall of many a bartender.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending-For-Beginners---How-To-Make-It-A-Rewarding-Career&id=1661764

The Basics of Bartending

2009-08-27T21:09:00.001+08:00

By Michael Russell

It is quite easy to set up and start up your own bar. There are a few basic elements that a good bartender must keep in mind to run a bar with as little effort as possible. All bars must contain the most basic and important spirits and liquors as well as equipment. Also, there are essential techniques a bartender must learn about mixing cocktails and long drinks.

First and foremost is the physical set up of the bar. Location is the key. It will be to your advantage if your bar is in an easily accessible place in the room and make sure that you have enough space behind the bar. This is a good tip because you can store extra liquor and glasses. In the space, install a small sink with running water, which is important to keep hygienic, a small refrigerator and a chair or two for you to rest in your free time. The bartender must know his way in, out and around his bar to avoid confusion and to save time and energy especially when he is catering to a party of a thousand people. The rush hour, which is from one to two in the early morning, the mixing stations can serve up to 180 drinks per hour. In these situations, four to six mixing stations are set up all around the place. Inventories must be made before the bar opens.

The next step is to know your menu and learn how to mix the drinks by heart. But with the wide variety of drinks, a "Mixing List" can be posted discretely under the bar. Since you may not have a lot of time in mixing, you will not have time to read the labels of each bottle of liquor. To help in this dilemma, you can set up your spirits and liquors in a certain order. You may have whiskey to Swedish punch arranged from left to right according to the decrease in alcohol content of the different liquors. You may end with grenadine and sugar. In the refrigerator, there should be a supply of fresh fruit juices, sodas, cream, milk, lemons and other ingredients that are perishable.

Each mixing station should contain the base spirits which are Vodka, Tequila, Gin and Rum. Also, the stations should have available sets of fruit juices and extracts such as Orange juice, Pineapple juice, Lemon and Lime. These are present in a lot of cocktail drinks. Below the bar of each station, there should be available cooled soft drinks like Schweppes, Russian Water, tonic water and the usual Coca Cola, Sprite and others.

Some drinks require the use of special gadgets. All stations must have them handy at all times. A Shaker, a measuring cup, a rinsing bowl and straws should be present and ready to use. Each station must have sets of glasses in three sizes, 32cl, 25cl and 8cl. They should also have the ever-needed cloth that is placed over the mixing area to wipe off spills and deal with other incidences.

Lastly, hygiene and sanitation is very important for all bartenders. Your nails must be trimmed short and make sure to wash your hands and gadgets in between drinks as much as possible. Wash glasses when they become empty so that you will always have spare glasses. Always serve napkins to the customers so they too will keep clean.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Basics-of-Bartending&id=223760

Bartending Jobs

2009-08-26T21:11:00.001+08:00

How Much Can You Really Make?
By B.J. Williams

Something you probably already know is that the cycles of the economy come and go, wax and wane, bull and bear. Something you may not know is that a bartending job may be one of the best ways to recession proof your income. I've been behind the wood for over a dozen years now and have worked through all cycles of the economy and here is the weird part. When the economy isn't doing well, bar business can actually go up.

The only evidence I have for this is anecdotal but its true. When the economy suffers people spend more time in bars. I am not sure why this is true. Even with all the doom and gloom in the news lately (today is 24 Feb 2008) I still don't see how a recession directly effects most people. Maybe that's why I failed high school economics. The way I see it people have their salaries and regardless of the economy their salaries stay the same. But still bar business goes up as the state of the economy goes down. Molson Coors Brewing Co opened the year 2008 at about $50. Their stock started to slowly fall and made it down to about $46. As talk of this recession heated up their stock price rose past their year high to almost $54. I am no economist and this very well could be coincidental but I find it interesting.

I realize that for some people the state of the economy can directly effect their income. This holds true mostly for small business owners and people in the ever growing pay-for-performance work force. Business does slow down for most small businesses and pay-for-performance workers (usually salespeople) do have a tougher time closing the deal during a recession. But there is good news. Why not take a part-time job as a bartender?

I have known more than a few small business owners and salespeople who have bartended part-time to earn extra income. One friend owned a Subway franchise and a bartending job while he was just starting out gave him a tremendous boost. One student of mine owned a carpet cleaning service and worked at a bartending job 3 nights a week. He nearly made as much bartending as he did with his business. Another student was a NYC Corrections Officer and had a bartending job 2 nights a week at a local dive bar. Through word of mouth and a great personality he packed the place on Wednesdays and Thursdays. He was making close to $700 a week in just 2 nights.

These are all great examples of how anyone can recession proof their income. If you are part of the pay-for-performance workforce and would like to try to stabilize your income a bartending job may be just what you need. When your day job slows down your bartending job will pick up. This is a great way to mitigate your risk and stabilize your income.

Even if you aren't in the pay-for-performance workforce, a bartending job may be exactly what you need. A recession often means that companies aren't hiring as much so take a bartending job to hold you over until the storm passes. I have used this strategy myself. I was in a corporate Food and Beverage Director job that I knew I had to leave and didn't want to wait until I found something better. I got a bartending job 4 nights a week and quit. Having the days off made it easy to look for another job and my income didn't suffer at all because I was bartending at night.

A bartending job truly can be the remedy you are looking for if the recession has hit you in the wallet. Even if you have never bartended before finding a great bartending job is easy if you have the right plan. To sign up for my free "Get a Bartending Job" Newsletter visit my website at www.getabartendingjob.com

Brian Williams has over 12 years in the Bar, Bartending and Food and Beverage industries. He has helped dozens of people get a bartending job through his Seven Secrets Program. His program and free "Get a Bartending Job" Newsletter are available at http://www.getabartendingjob.com

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending-Jobs---How-Much-Can-You-Really-Make?&id=991848

Bartending - Brief Tour From Ancient History To Today

2009-08-25T21:24:00.001+08:00

By E. Brillig

Bartending began as a trade thousands of years ago. Historical accounts from the time of Julius Caesar show that inns situated along the major transportation routes served wine and provisions to travelers. In Rome, neighborhood taverns were meeting places for locals to enjoy drinking and gossip. There is evidence that even earlier the ancient Greeks had such places of entertainment and refreshment for travelers. No one knows how far back in time the notion of a tavern was first introduced. Initially, perhaps, someone found it profitable to provide his friends or neighbors something to drink in a room somewhere people could comfortably gather and relax or play.

Today people still gather in a variety of public and private establishments for drinking, meeting friends, relaxation, and entertainment. One of the key roles in such a setting is the bartender, also known as, barkeeper, barmaid, mixologist, tapster. Tending bar involves much more than just serving drinks. In fact, some bartenders leave the "serving" to others. The job may include preparing the drinks, customer service, management, security, and sometimes, psychiatrist!

The United States (US) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) gives a bartender's job as follows: ''Bartenders must know a wide range of drink recipes and be able to mix drinks accurately, quickly, and without waste. Besides mixing and serving drinks, bartenders stock and prepare garnishes for drinks; maintain an adequate supply of ice, glasses, and other bar supplies; and keep the bar area clean for customers. They also may collect payment, operate the cash register, wash glassware and utensils, and serve food to customers seated at the bar. Bartenders usually are responsible for ordering and maintaining an inventory of liquor, mixes, and other bar supplies.''

According to the latest US BLS information available professional bartenders are employed in the following industries:

Full-Service Restaurants ( 184,500)
Drinking Places (alcohol) (145,910)
Civic and Social Organizations (44,600)
Traveler Accommodations (35,460)
Other Amusements and Recreation Industries (29,450).

Interestingly, the same source reveals that over 1% of the population in the state of Montana claims this occupation; the state of Nevada is a close second with .96% employed as bartenders. The states with the best paid bartenders are Hawaii and Washington.

In additional to the full-time professional bartenders, many people tend bar professionally part-time to earn money while they go to school or as a second income source. The demand for such workers goes up over the summer vacation and holidays.

But most bartenders are amateurs who enjoy mixing and serving drinks to gatherings of friends and family in their own home. Even this more casual activity requires a wide variety of skills in preparing the drinks, knowing the best container for the drink, e.g. stemware or chilled beer steins, supplies such as mixes and garnishes for the drinks, and even some entertainment in the form of jokes or bar tricks. Like his/her professional counterpart, the hobby bartender has the responsibility of serving only to people over the legal age and in making sure the guests enjoy themselves without over indulging.

© 2008 E. Brillig

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending---Brief-Tour-From-Ancient-History-To-Today&id=1206240

Common Terms in Bartending

2009-08-24T21:05:00.001+08:00

By Michael Russell

There are a lot of terms that are standards in bartending. A good bartender, as well as an informed customer, will have familiarized himself with the different terms used.

The more common of these terms are used a lot in bars. When a drink is Neat, it means that it is a spirit consumed straight and unaccompanied. It is often called a Shooter which is a straight shot of a spirit like Whiskey. A Chaser is a mixer that is used to create a different taste. It is drunk immediately after a straight shot of liquor. A Cocktail is any alcoholic beverage that usually combines brandy, vodka, gin, or whiskey with other liquors or fruit juices and is often served chilled. A Well Drink is the opposite of a Call Drink because it is a drink made up of a mixer and liquor without a definite brand. Examples of this drink are Gin and Tonic and Rum and Coke. When a person says that he wants his drink On the Rocks, this means that the wine or liquor is poured over a glass of ice cubes. On the other hand, a Mist is a popular after-dinner drink and is liquor served over a glass full of crushed ice, not cubes. A Tot generally means a drink with only a small amount of liquor.

Punch is a popular party drink. It is usually prepared in a large bowl and is made of fruits, fruit juices, soft drinks, flavoring and sweeteners, with a wine or liquor base. Punch is often served in cups or glasses that accompany the punch bowl. Here, the drink is often referred to as a Cup. Negus is a drink with a punch-like combination of wine, sweetened, but heated with spices.

When a drink is termed Sour, it means that it is a short drink made of liquor, lime or lemon juice and sugar. A Collins is a sour drink served with soda water or seltzer water and is in a tall glass. A Crusta is also a sour drink where the glass is lined with an orange or lemon peel that is cut in a continuous strip. A Fix is a sour drink that is similar to the Daisy but with crushed ice and served in a large goblet.

Certain drinks have unique properties. Some are heated, served in distinct glasses, or have special textures. The Toddy is a sweet drink made of liquor, hot water and spices and is often in a tall glass. The Grog is served in a large mug and is rum-based with water, sugar and fruit juice. The Lowball is the opposite of the Highball and is a short drink of a spirit and is served with ice, soda, or water in a small glass. The Fizz is a carbonated drink and is effervescent and emits small bubbles. The Frappe is a mixture of certain fruits and ingredients served over a mound of crushed ice and are partially frozen, giving it a different feel. A Shrub is a beverage that is a mix of spirits, fruit juices and sugar that is aged in casks then bottled. Lastly, a Super Call is a certain alcohol that is high octane with high proof, aged really well or flavored versions. They are often known as "Top shelf" or "Super Premium".

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Common-Terms-in-Bartending&id=223757

Bartending As an Alternative Job

2009-08-23T21:21:00.000+08:00

By Trent McMullin

Bartending is a job that is very appealing when looking from the other side of the bar. Many bartenders are able to drink on the job, make a sizable amount in tips, and in general get to feel like the center of attention. For someone looking for a job that is easy to get into, pays well, and can be mastered without special training or schooling, being a bartender may be the perfect choice.

With the economy as it is now, not only in the United States, but globally, out-of-work people and those worried about losing their jobs are looking for a solution. While bartending may not be for everyone, it is a solid job that tends to hang on pretty well during economic downturns. A bartender provides people with alcohol, whether it be for fun or to drown away sorrows. Either for fun or eradicating sorrows, people not only continue to drink during economic turmoil, many increase how much they drink. While it may not be healthy, physically or mentally, it provides a stable job that anyone of legal age to bartend can get into, no matter what their schooling.

Speaking of schooling, many people seem to like to think that they need to attend an over-priced bartending school. Schooling fits into some jobs nicely but with bartending, few employers care about a diploma or certificate on the wall. They are more interested in seeing how you actually mix drinks and what you know. Sure, you can learn that at a school for bartenders, but all of it is easily enough self-taught. All you need is a little direction, that a well put together guide can provide, to learn how to become an excellent bartender that knows how to make thousands of alcoholic drinks. Don't listen to the various sites that might tell you that you need a school to be a bartender. The average employer doesn't care about your schooling, just your ability to make people the drinks they want.

Take a walk down a busy street in a commercial district and you will probably find a bar, likely with people in it if it is open hours. Many upscale restaurants have bartenders. Bars in small towns need bartenders. Some bartender even only work part time, serving with catering companies at events like weddings and parties. Not one of my personal favorites because of the typically loud noise, but there are clubs all over that have bartenders. Many bartenders are inexperienced, younger, and have absolutely no bartender schooling. If you know how to mix drinks, you are a candidate for a job bar tending.

If this economic situation has you down, you could drown those sorrows away in a shot of vodka, or you could learn how to bar tend and get a job mixing that vodka into a drink that someone is going to pay $15 for and tip you $5 for.

For more information about becoming a bartender and teaching yourself the skills that will help you get a job and bring home extra gratuities, visit the Learn 2 Bar Tend blog.

Trent McMullin runs websites and blogs, a "web master" by trade, focused on providing information for those looking to learn more about various subjects.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending-As-an-Alternative-Job&id=1749148

Bartending Job Search

2009-08-22T21:15:00.000+08:00

By Benjamin Robert Ehinger

Finding a new job can be a frustrating process and any server or bartender that has been through understands the pains of trying to find and start a new job at a new bar or restaurant. Here are 5 tips to make your next bartending job search easier and help you find that next job faster.

Tip #1

Start looking before you get fired or quit. It is always good to have a few resumes floating around at other bars or restaurants. After all if you interviewed for a new bartending job and it was going to make you more money, you would likely take the job and quit your current job. This will also give you an idea of what is out there as well.

Tip #2

Use a resume to look more professional. There is nothing worse that looking like a bartender when you are trying to get a bartending job. Bar and restaurant managers and owners know that there are a lot of shady bartenders out there and they want to hire the best of the best, if possible. They have, most likely, fired someone for stealing, had someone that just did not cut it behind the bar, and had someone that did not show up for work. Using a resume is one thing you can do to set yourself apart from those that just turn in an application.

Tip #3

Dress professionally when applying for a bartending job. When you are applying for a bartending job, as a guy, you should be wearing a tie, as a girl you should look professional, like you are interviewing for a position at a law firm. This will give you a better chance of landing an interview right away and will give you a leg up on your competition that decided to show up in jeans and a t-shirt.

Tip #4

Apply to every restaurant and bar that you can find. Just because there is not an ad in the newspaper does not mean that the bar or restaurant is not hiring. Most places have stacks of applications and are always looking for more. They don't want to spend the money to place an ad in the paper so they count on walk in applicants. Make sure you always apply in person, never call ahead, and fill out the application right there with your own pen.

Tip #5

The last tips is very important because it will make the difference between getting hired and not getting hired. Always make sure to talk to a manager before you leave when applying and ask for an interview. They may be reluctant or might tell you no, but if you ask you have a better chance of getting an interview right on the spot.

Using all of these tips together can land you a bartending job within a week. I have done it and so have many of my friends who have worked as bartenders. Make your next bartending job search shorter by combining all of these tips with a smile and a positive attitude.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending-Job-Search&id=1164105
http://www.free-offer-sites.info/JobSearching/Articles/Bartending-Job-Search.html

How to Get a Bartending Job with Little or No Experience

2009-08-21T19:11:00.001+08:00

By B.J. Williams

Lots of people want to get a bartending job but don't know how to go about doing it. This article will expose some of the myths of bartending jobs and show you the steps to getting your first bartending job.

The first step in getting a bartending job is getting an interview. Without putting yourself in front of the people who do the hiring you can't get a bartending job. This step seems simple enough but many would-be bartenders get caught up in the myth of "they won't hire me without any experience." Please don't misunderstand me - some bartending jobs require experience, but most do not. Experience is required at high volume, super fast paced establishments. For these bartending jobs you must be extremely efficient at making drinks and serving customers - there is just no time to learn on the job. But most establishments are not high volume and super fast paced. So why are you still hearing that they want experience?

Employers often use the "no experience" reason for not hiring as a polite way to end the conversation. The truth is that in most establishments your Attitude is way more important than your experience. Experience breeds bad habits. Many owners and managers would rather hire a "blank slate" and train them properly. But this "blank slate" must have a phenomenal attitude. It is your duty to not only develop this phenomenal attitude but to make sure it shines through during the application process so that you can put it on full display during your interview.

Here are two tools that will make sure your great attitude is conveyed during your job search. Write a cover letter and a resume. Many bartending jobs will only require that you fill out their application. If you want to be included with the group of people applying for the job and don't want to stand out - then by all means, fill out the application. If you want to elevate yourself above the crowd - then have a really great cover letter and resume than separates you from the pack.

In order to have a great cover letter and resume you must design it specifically for getting a bartending job. Do not be generic. To write a compelling cover letter you need to tell a compelling story. Remember all the challenging situations you have been in. Try to remember even the smallest details. Is the story about how you handled an aggravated customer? Is about some obstacle you overcame? Does it show how you are a great team player and employee? Your cover letter must show -not tell- that you are a great hire. The employer needs a reason to hire you; you must give them that reason by showing how you will be an asset to their organization.

After you have told a compelling story in your cover letter you must back it up with a solid resume. This resume doesn't have to have bartending experience on it, but it must be tailored to bartending. It should never have irrelevant information (i.e. type 90 words a minute; proficient in excell; etc.) You would be amazed at how many resumes get thrown in the garbage because the applicant doesn't bother to even list relevant information. Examples of relevant information and experience could include: used upselling techniques to increase sales per customer visit, learned customer satisfaction is exceeding - not meeting - customer expectations, voted "easiest to talk to" in my high school yearbook. Notice that none of these bullet points requires bartending experience. You need to tailor your previous experience, no matter what it was, to fit the skill sets of bartending.

Once you have gained an interview for a bartending job by using the above mentioned tools you must then ace the bartending job interview. Interviews for bartending jobs are very different then interviews for traditional jobs. Bartending requires that you put your personality on display and you must do this in the interview. The tools that you created to get your bartending job interview will come in very handy in preparation for the interview. Since you have created a compelling cover letter and resume all you need to do to prepare for the interview is review them. Have stories ready. Be able to speak intelligently about your experiences and how they relate to bartending. And most importantly, get the interviewer to like you. If they feel like you are likeable and have a positive attitude they will think that their customers will like you and spend more money. Also, people want to work with people they like. Make it your priority in your interview to make the interview feel more like a conversation. Don't give one word answers, put your opinions and personality on display. Talk to the interviewer about bartending and topics most likely to interest them. If you seem more like a friend then like an applicant you will get the job.

In conclusion, bartending jobs are not as hard to get as it seems. Aspiring bartenders just don't usually know where to start. This article lays the foundation for beginning your bartending job search.

For more detailed information and techniques check out my free newsletter and program at http://www.getabartendingjob.com

Brian Williams has over 12 years in the Bar, Bartending and Food and Beverage industries. He has helped dozens of people get a bartending job through his Seven Secrets Program. His program and free "Get a Bartending Job" Newsletter are available at http://www.getabartendingjob.com

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Get-a-Bartending-Job-with-Little-or-No-Experience&id=941947

The Why and What of Mixology Certification

2009-08-20T23:20:00.000+08:00

By Mark S Russell

Why get a Mixology Certification?

If you want to become a bartender, one certification that you should have under your belt is the mixology certification that an established bar tending school offers upon course completion.

When you're going out to find a job, it is always better that there are items up your sleeve that will support your credibility and make it easier for the employer to choose you. For a bartending job, the mixology certification gives you the credibility that the employer is looking for!

Certifications alert your prospective employer of your abilities and potential and will make an impression on them. Remember that in this world today, it does not matter what you know, but rather what you can prove you know. Any evidence you have, such as diplomas, recommendation letters, portfolios, and certifications will ultimately help your case.

The purpose of a mixology certification is to be able to quickly show other people that the holder, whose name is written on the certificate, has successfully accomplished a certain course and will imply that the person has the knowledge, skills and abilities of a professional bartender.

About Mixology

Mixology is the art and study of creating alcoholic beverages that will be served to customers. This science instills into a person basic and advanced knowledge about the different styles and techniques that every bartender should know. It also develops your knowledge and awareness about the different recipes and ingredients to create the cocktail desired by customers.

There are a lot of cocktails currently available and there are new cocktails being invented everywhere.

Having a mixology certificate tells prospective employers that you have taken the time and effort to learn many of these recipes and know how to make them, definitely a good thing.

Going through a bar tending course also teaches you the aesthetic properties, functions and effect of the use of different glasses and alcohol to people in order to always achieve the desired effect. Presentation is an important part of drinking, which is why bartenders need to know not only the recipes to create a certain cocktail but also how to properly present them to customers so that they will have more pleasure enjoying the drink. These preparations are not just aesthetic but it also has a function.

Having this certification will certainly help you become a bartender and acquire the jobs that you want. The things written above are just some of the things that you need to learn in order to become a great bartender but having the certificate tells the people around you that you are already great.

Anyone who wants to become a bartender, either in the USA or abroad, should have a mixology certification because it will certainly impress a prospective employer and give them the knowledge needed to be a professional bartender.

I run a bartending school in Baltimore, MD - if you're interested in becoming a bartender, please visit: http://www.marylandbartending.com.

Take a free introductory class to learn everything you want to know about bartending school: http://www.marylandbartending.com/free-bartending-classes-maryland.html

article source:
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Why-and-What-of-Mixology-Certification&id=2642039

Bartending Tips to Make You a Great Bartender

2009-08-19T23:57:00.000+08:00

By Mike Selvon

If you want to be a great bartender, then you have to have the knowledge and skill that the job requires. Bartending is a very rewarding career, but it is also very demanding. A bartender must keep their customers and themselves happy with the service that they provide.

No one likes to be around a bartender who gives poor service. There are certain things that a bartender has to do to keep ahead of the game. Knowing drinks and how to prepare them is one of the most important things to learn. In this article are several bartending tips that will help you along in your quest to be a great barkeep.

One of the most important things is to know your drinks! It is very disappointing to go to a bar and realize that the bartender doesn't know how to make your favorite cocktail! As a bartender, you should be extremely familiar with all things about bartending. There are several bartending books out there that list drink after drink.

Grab a few of them and read them whenever you have a spare moment. Use the internet as well. Knowing how to prepare a rare drink by heart is sure to make your bartending skills a hit! Know your glassware! This may seem crazy but the glass you use for your mixed drinks truly does matter. Part of the excitement of ordering a martini is getting it in the signature glass!

After you know the basics, the best bartending tips are all about the methods used to make drinks. One of these is how to accurately stir a drink before it is served. This requires a stirring spoon, or a stirring stick and a mixing glass.

You should pour your ingredients into the mixing glass and stir in a clockwise motion, slowly. After you have stirred, pour the mixture over the cold ice. Using this technique should accurately and smoothly mix drinks to your customer's wishes.

A wonderful piece of advice for pouring a drink is about building it, and with some drinks, creating layers may be required; first with ice, then any spices, then with the alcohol. It seems so simple but even the simplest tips can create the highest level of service!

Anyone, at any stage of bartending, or anyone looking to hone a particular skill, can benefit from bartending tips. The important thing is to remain open to advice and take opportunities to improve your skills wherever they might arise.

The internet is one of the best sources for information about bartending, but bookstores, and even flair bartenders possess a wealth of knowledge that you may have never discovered before. Learning new styles of bartending, or new drinks to make, can all help you on your bartending quest.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending-Tips-to-Make-You-a-Great-Bartender&id=1234008

Bartending Schools

2009-08-18T19:07:00.000+08:00

By Michael Bustamante

The profession of bartending is in the hospitality and entertainment field, and vocational and technical bartending schools can prepare you for an interesting and exciting career in the industry. Bartending schools assist beginners and practicing professionals alike to gain insight into good bartending techniques and procedures.

Bartending is a professional trade, and professional drink-making skills are imparted by professional instructors. The best bartending schools are set up to emulate a bar or cocktail lounge for the most authentic experience and education. Classrooms should include ice machines, three-compartment bar sinks, soda dispensers, blenders, and a variety of glassware.

Bartending schools should provide plenty of hands-on training behind a real bar to develop a foundation in the basic and advanced techniques of making and serving alcoholic drinks. Students are often provided with more than skills for bartending; they may be exposed to related training, such as the ins and outs of good business practices, or hospitality management and restaurant management, to prepare for entry into positions in hotels, restaurants, country clubs, cruise ships, resorts, and other venues.

A word of caution: Your choice of schools should be carefully investigated. Top bartending schools are licensed to teach, and students should never feel pressured into gaining an education. Choosing the right school is a serious undertaking, and should be given appropriate time and exploration.

When choosing independent vocational or trade schools to gain a bartending education, you should look for credentials and long-term affiliations. You should expect professionally printed and bound textbooks, as well as a clean, neat classroom with the appearance of a "real bar." You should demand a thorough training agenda, and you should be impressed with the quality of the facility and the teaching staff. Meeting the instructors at your choice of bartending schools and assessing the level of professionalism and knowledge of the staff are crucial to making a good choice and getting a good education that will meet (or exceed) your expectations.

Many quality bartending schools offer financial assistance as well as job placement to their students. Graduates can find employment in any type of hospitality setting, including nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, local bars and pubs, airports, or wherever alcohol is served.

If you would like to learn more about Bartending Schools or Hospitality Management Training, you can find more in-depth information and resources on our website.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2007 - All rights reserved by SchoolsGalore.com, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending-Schools&id=455970

Bartending Terms

2009-08-17T19:03:00.002+08:00

By Michael Russell

There are so many different kinds of drinks a customer can choose to order. It is nearly impossible to memorize each by heart but remember that all drinks fall into a certain category. The drink is usually named according to its ingredients, how it is presented and how it looks. To be a good bartender or a good customer, there are certain terminologies that you need to be familiar with.

In the menu, when the term Box comes up, it means that it is a drink that is poured in a shaker and then served. It gives the drink a quick mixing without necessarily shaking it. Most menus would have a Call Drink which is a drink that is a combination of a mixer and liquor with a defined brand like Bacardi and Coke or Tonic. A Cobbler is not just a type of dessert but also a word used to indicate a tall drink of any liquor served in a highball glass topped with crushed or shaven ice and fresh fruit and mint sprigs. A Cooler is another drink served in a highball glass but consists of ginger ale, soda water and a fresh spiral or twist of citrus fruit rind. When a customer requests a Daisy, this is an oversized drink of any strong and sour liquor like gin or rum and served with crushed ice, fruit syrup and a straw. Apart from all these, a Virgin generally means a drink with no alcohol.

In some bars and restaurants, you may see some of these words on the menu. The Flip is a chilled and creamy drink made of eggs, sugar and wine or spirit. The more known flips are the Brandy and Sherry flips. A Julep is a popular drink and is made of bourbon, sugar, mint and crushed ice. A Smash is a shorter version of the Julep and is served in a small glass. It is still made of liquor, sugar and mint. When the drink is said to be "laced with". a Lace pertains to the last ingredient that is poured over the drink, more like a garnish.

Some drinks are heated to add a special touch. A not so well-known drink is the Mulls and is a sweetened or spiced wine, beer or liquor, heated and served as hot punch. A Sling is served either hot or cold and is a tall drink made of soda water, sugar, a little lemon juice and either whiskey, gin, or brandy.

Some drinks are named according to the glass they are served in. A Highball is a drink served in a highball glass, which is a medium to tall glass and is any spirit served with ice and soda water. A Rickey is a drink that is served in a Rickey glass and is made up of liquor, usually gin, soda water and half a lime. It is often sweetened. A Swizzle on the other hand is named as such because it is served with a stirring rod or a swizzle stick which is rotated to form frost on the glass. It is traditionally a tall rum-based cocktail with cracked ice.

In the more festive seasons and occasions, certain drinks are part of tradition. One famous example is the Eggnog. It is a traditional holiday drink that contains beaten eggs mixed with cream or milk, sugar and special liquor like brandy, bourbon, or rum. However, the Eggnog was derived from the British drink Posset and contains heated ale or wine curdled with milk, spices and eggs.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending-Terms&id=223754

A Guide To Better Bartending Jobs

2009-08-16T18:59:00.002+08:00

By Tony Jacowski

Skills Needed

To be a bartender, you need to have certain common skills, such knowing what makes a good drink, good communication, efficiency and speed. You need to be patient while searching for a bartending job in a good bar or club. Always keep searching for better bartending positions. This way you can get more raises or opt for more top shifts.

Bartending Schools And Training

One of the easiest ways to doing a good job behind the bar is attending a Mixology School, also commonly known as Bartending School or Bartending Training, which is also available online. Mixology is the art of mixing a good drink.

It is a good way to acquire knowledge required to become a bartender and gives you the cutting edge in the market. It not only helps you to earn better, but also earns you the pleasure of your customers, and happy customers means better tips for you. The training helps you create your own special recipes to attract customers and increase your chances of receiving good tips. Creating an original drink gives you recognition and larger clientele even if you switch bars. Having knowledge about different drinks and being able to create unique drinks according to the various customer's taste and preferences will help increase business.

Learn tricks of the trade. Tend your bar with flair - learn how to spin the bottle or slide glasses across the counter. This will attract attention and draw more clientele towards you. Differentiate yourself from the rest of the bartenders. Speed is another vital quality that a bartender must have. The more drinks you serve and please your customers, the more valuable you are to management.

Its All About Communication Skills

Good communication and rapport building with your customers is essential. Networking with the right kind of people and providing good quality of service will help you rise to the position of Head Bartender. Customer service and satisfaction will earn you more money. Rise above your peers by going out of your way and doing that extra bit just to please your customers.

Age Restrictions

Another very important criteria to be kept in mind before you decide to become a bartender is your age. Each state has it's own set of rules and regulations and age limit starting from 17 to 21, that may require a bartender to take a class and be certified to serve alcohol.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Guide-To-Better-Bartending-Jobs&id=837452

Introduction to Flair Bartending

2009-08-15T18:49:00.001+08:00

By Shane Dayton

Flair bartending is an increasingly common practice by bartenders who are not only trained to mix and serve drinks, but also perform in flair contests that showcase a wide variety of skills and showmanship. These performances are increasing in popularity as the juggling, flipping, pouring, and other movements make for some extremely impressive choreographed acts. There are even some competitions for tandem bartending where a pair of flair bartenders work together as one act.

There are actually two times of flair bartending: working flair and show flair. Working flair involves teaching the efficiency of movement, and being able to use two hands in conjunction to quickly serve as many people as possible in a very short time.

Show flair is what most people think about when they think about bartending flair. This involves the tossing and juggling of bottles, the pouring of multiple drinks at once, and all the other showboating and choreographed moves that make this such an entertaining and popular skill.

While flair bartending has definitely taken off to entirely new levels over the last twenty years, some form of this flashy style of tending bar has existed for over 150 years according to the Flair Bartender's Association (FBA).

Both styles of flair bartending have their uses, and while working flair might not be flashy, it's very practical and gives bartenders the skills to be able to handle even the largest of rushes. Show flair can be very lucrative as there are many competitions that involve major cash prices. A few good tricks also tends to help out the tips on a normal night.

Because of all these reasons, as well as a general growing interest, flair bartending is sure to remain popular for years to come.

If you would like to learn more about flair bartending, please visit my web page at http://hubpages.com/hub/Flair-Bartending for more great free information, videos, and more!

Thanks for Reading.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Introduction-to-Flair-Bartending&id=2553472

Mixology Bartending School

2009-08-14T23:15:00.004+08:00

By Mark S Russell

Are you considering going to a Mixology Bartending School? Read this article and think about these common considerations to take before choosing a school.

Online or In-Person?

Once upon a time, if an aspiring student wanted to attend a Mixology Bartending School, they would have to actually go to the classes -- imagine that! Physically attending classes!

These days, thanks to the magic of technology, we can actually attending bartending classes online! If somebody would have told me this was going to be the case when I was younger, I would've laughed at them, but it's true!

The benefit of attending classes online is obvious -- you don't have to drive anywhere, meet anybody new, or even get dressed if you don't want to. But are there any benefits to attending Mixology School in-person?

Yes, there are.

Bartending is a very "hands-on" type of thing. It's not really like mathematics where you can be an excellent practitioner with only a pencil and paper. In order to be a good bartender, you have to actually make drinks. The whole point of bartending classes is mainly to learn how to prepare drinks (you learn other stuff also, see everything you learn in bartending school here). You're not going to learn nearly as well by just watching!

To get the best learning experience, you have to go to the physical class, meet the instructors, (get dressed!) and start pouring some drinks.

Choosing a Mixology Bartending School

Once you have made the decision between online and in-person, the next thing you have to do is actually choose a school. Chances are, if you live near any big cities, there will be one or two reputable bartending schools to choose from.

How to find the bartending schools in your area? Google it!

If you're anywhere near the Baltimore, Washington D.C., Northern Virginia area, come to the Maryland Bartending Academy. We offer state-of-the-art teaching environments, flexible class schedules, and affordable tuition -- pretty much everything you could ask for.

Visit Maryland Bartending Academy (School) online!

If you live in a different state, there are a few websites with state-by-state directories of bartending schools. One of them you can find at BestBartendingSchool.com.

article source:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Mixology-Bartending-School&id=2337125

Studying At Bartending School

2009-08-13T21:24:00.001+08:00

The perfect resource for the want-to-be bartender is the Better Bureau Bartending Schools. This is like the Better Business Bureau only for bartending hopefuls. Here an individual can gain valuable information on all aspects of Bartending School. There is a resource called the Bartending School Guide that will help an individual decide if bartending is the right option. This resource alone could save someone a great deal of money. It is a little known fact that most states do not require a bartending license in order to have a bartending job. Certification is not needed. In addition to this resource, the Better Bureau Bartending School provides information on online bartending schools, bartender guide tips and state alcohol server and bartender age laws.

If the intended plan of becoming a bartender is to learning how to make a few impressive drinks for the next cocktail party, online bartending school should not be overlooked. For the price it costs to make two drinks, online certification can be achieved. Often times, the material presented in an online bartending course is better than the actual classroom courses. This is largely due to the fact that it is easier to update online documents. Traditional classroom books require a considerate amount of time and expense requirement.

Once that bartending certification is in hand, the next step is to find an actual bartending job. The best resource for this is online. Basic restaurant or cash handling experience could be enough to land a job behind the bar. Continual training on drink mixes can occur on the job or in before or after shift training. First time bartenders rarely stay at an establishment for more than a season. This is looked upon as the “getting the feet wet” period in a bartenders career. Therefore, it is not advised to get heart set on a certain place as the first job. Regardless of the method used to obtain that bartending certification, it is a rewarding and exciting career path to take.

Written by Ant Onaf.
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Studying-At-Bartending-School&id=737733

Professional Bartending Schools

2009-08-12T18:44:00.000+08:00

Get Paid to Have Fun

A few years ago, I was looking for a better working opportunity. A friend of mine told me about a local bartending school, and I thought I'd check it out. Here's what I found out.

First of all, it's not the easiest job to get if you want to work in a nice establishment, which is why it's nice to have some formal training. Frequently you'll have to take an entry-level_ position first, much as any other place. Such positions might include being a waiter or a bar back (they assist the bartender with everything except mixing the drinks.)

Even with a certificate, you'll need to purchase a state license to be legal to serve drinks. This usually involves watching a half-hour video concerning the alcohol laws in your area, and is to protect you from making a bad decision that could later land you in court. Most bartending schools work with their state to provide licensing services through the class.

Courses are generally very flexible with your scheduling needs. When I took a class in Seattle, they offered me two options: a week course, or a two-week course. An average price for these classes is anywhere from $200-$500; mine was $250. I opted for the week, but as it turned out I was unable to make the last class and final test - they let me come back in for unlimited free practice three weeks later before picking up where I'd left off.

The instructors were friendly and the class was actually a lot of fun. They even had an optional video on how to do some fancy tricks, and one day an instructor showed off by blowing fire from his mouth and lighting afire ten drinks that were on the counter! Pretty cool stuff.

So if you're looking for a way to get paid doing something you enjoy, look in your local phonebook or on the web for a local class. You won't be disappointed!

By A. Daily
article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Professional-Bartending-Schools---Get-Paid-to-Have-Fun&id=1908815

Flair Bartending is an Art and Wonderful to Watch

2009-08-11T23:55:00.000+08:00

By Mike Selvon

Flair bartending, just as the name suggests, is something that is wonderful to watch. When the handsome man or beautiful woman behind the bar mixes you a drink with amazing dexterity and flamboyance you will be truly entertained, and will possibly end up enjoying your drink and evening even more. The performance is a special attraction and these skilled barkeeps are engaged precisely for their unique bartending services.

Bartending with flair is an exclusive and specialized art form or service, whereby skilled bartenders entertain guests in the most imaginative and fascinating manner. This includes the handling of easily recognizable bar tools, such as cocktail shakers or liquor bottles, in a series of moves akin, in many ways, to those of a juggler. What's equally amazing is the quality of the drink and the speed with which it is created.

The term "flair bartending" became popular among bartenders during the mid 1990's, with the advent of such movies as Cocktail and Coyote Ugly, and can be described as any trick employed by a bartender to entertain guests, while mixing their drinks. The flipping or juggling of shakers, bottles etc. are but a few of the varied techniques used by professional flair bartenders.

Some practitioners are even capable of using flammable liquors, as well as trained to perform close-up magic tricks, commonly referred to as "bar magic." Ultimately, the main objective of this service is to entertain, in a unique manner, while mixing drinks, and thereby adding value to a patron's drinking or dining experience.

Flair bartending was introduced to the world by Jerry Thomas who was popularly known as "The Professor." The "Blue Blazer" was a cocktail created by Jerry by mixing hot water streams with Scotch whisky. This happened in the 1800's and become immensely popular in those days.

It was from this beginning that this type of bartending picked up recognition and popularity. The attraction of this special skill is such that today, these professional bartenders are hot favorites at all types of parties. Bars, hotels and similar institutions use their services to launch and advertise their premises, while new products also use this as a vehicle for advertising.

Many leading distilleries and hotels have organized special bartending events with flair bartenders, to gain mileage for their products or services. So popular has this profession become today that you can find special courses and diplomas offered on the subject.

If you're planning to stopover at a bar or pub this evening, then look for one that offers professional flair bartending. Yes, you do need that refreshing drink, don't you? If you have the time for a couple drinks and some entertainment, then why not enjoy some awesome, visual entertainment that flair bartenders offer. For free!!

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Flair-Bartending-is-an-Art-and-Wonderful-to-Watch&id=1237166

Requirements to Become a Bartender

2009-08-10T23:12:00.001+08:00

By Mark S Russell

Legal Requirements

The minimum age requirement to become a bartender in the state of Maryland is 18. There are some cities, Annapolis for instance, where the minimum age is 21. Here is a chart with the other state's minimum ages to become a certified bartender:

AL - 21
AK - 21
AZ - 19
AR - 18
CA - 21
CO - 18
CT - 18
DE - 21
DC - 21
FL - 18
GA - 18
HI - 18
ID - 19
IL - 18*
IN - 21
IA - 18
KS - 21
KY - 20
LA - 18
MA - 18
ME - 18
MD - 18*
MI - 18
MN - 18
MS - 18
MO - 21
MT - 21
NE - 19
NV - 21
NH - 18
NJ - 18
NY - 18
NM - 21
NC - 21
ND - 21
OH - 21
OK - 21
OR - 21
PA - 18
RI - 18
SC - 21
SD - 18
TN - 18
TX - 18
UT - 21
VT - 18
VA - 21
WA - 21
WV - 18
WI - 18
WY - 21

* Indicates Stricter Cities of 21

Aside from the age requirement, you must also have a clean criminal record (no felonies).

Other Requirements

If you meet the legal minimum age requirement, you are half way to becoming a bartender. But there are a bunch of personal qualities that will help you become successful. Assuming your goal is to get and hold a good paying bartender job, you have to have:

Great manners - since you will be dealing with customers during the entire course of your work day, and since they are your paycheck (tips), you want to have a great attitude and good manners to server them with.

Patience - this is only a requirement to become a bartender because you will often be dealing with drunken customers. If they are impatient, you must be more patient, understanding that they are intoxicated and would otherwise not act like they are.

Stamina - considering the fact that you will be standing for several hours on end, you will need to have the wind to carry you all the way through a busy day at the bar.

Honesty - most people pay with cash when at the bar, and thus you will be handling a lot of money. Also, you have the ability to pour drinks, charge the customer for them, but never ring them up. Only do this if you want to get fired really fast.

Good sense of humor - People using visit the bar because they are looking to loosen up and have a good time. Therefore, if you have a good sense of humor and can joke with your customers, they are likely to tip you more and have a good time. If you're really good, they will frequent the bar you work at and ask for you specifically!

Beyond those personal qualities, there aren't any other requirements to become a bartender.

I run a bartending school in Baltimore, MD - if you're interested in becoming a bartender, please visit: http://www.marylandbartending.com

Take a free introductory class to learn everything you want to know about bartending school:
http://www.marylandbartending.com/free-bartending-classes-maryland.html

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Requirements-to-Become-a-Bartender&id=2430948

All About Bartending School

2009-08-09T21:20:00.001+08:00

If a survey was taken of employees in the business world, a surprising number would admit to moonlighting as a bartender. At some point in life, every person would admit to at least a peaked interest in becoming a bartender. The glitzy, glamorous excitement behind the bar is what draws an individual to step behind the bar and become a certified mixologist.

There are two basic forms of Bartending School available: hands on and online. Either option is suitable. It all depends on an individual’s needs. If looking to make a few impressive drinks at the next cocktail party is what’s desired, then online bartending school would be the right choice. For those looking to make a career change or add a second job to the mix, a brick and mortar bartending school would be the better option.

For traditional bartending schools, there are places such as ABC Bartending School. Here, a family owned school has locations across the country. With a background rich in restaurant and hospitality, the owner promises success in the bartending industry after certification from his school. The cost of the program includes job placement assistance following completion. Classes are held in the morning and the evening, including weekends. This is done to accommodate individual schedules. In addition to the training, alcohol awareness training is also provided.

Online bartending schools are gaining a bigger presence on the Internet. Schools such as ebartendingschool.com offer the opportunity to obtain bartending certification status in the comforts of home. Included with the online course is the book needed to learn how to mix drinks with the recipes found in the book. Also contained in the book are secrets to finding the best bartending jobs, whatever the location. This online course teaches the same principles as taught in traditional bartending schools. The only difference is the cost and the connivance factor.

Written by Ant Onaf.
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?All-About-Bartending-School&id=737738

Bartending for Hot Summer Nights

2009-08-08T23:49:00.003+08:00

By Michael Russell

Summer nights: hot parties, romantic adventures and lonely nights under the moonlight when you are alone with your thoughts and your dreams. No matter what you choose to do, remember that there’s always a way to spice up your mood and enjoy your senses. Bartenders give you tips about how to pamper your gustatory sense. Each of the following cocktails is a treat; each of these drinks has been carefully selected to exude a feeling of luxury and class.

The first and hottest bartending tip: enhance your margaritas with cactus pear syrup. This syrup is quite popular in Mexico and the leaves and fruits of the Nopal cactus (prickly pear cactus) are used for a variety of culinary purposes too: from salads to scrambled eggs, from pies to desserts toppings and snack food. The syrup is used to make jelly or marmalade, it is also used as salad dressing and when mixed with ginger ale you get a Prickly Pear Cactus Shirley Temple. Yummy! A bottle of prickly pear cactus syrup (23 oz) costs about $15 USD. It’s not so cheap, but consider this a delicacy you deserve.

A very popular drink to refresh you in the hot summer nights is Mojito. The drink was born in Cuba and it is today so popular that many consider it the national drink of Cuba. The truth is that the Cubans identify themselves more with the long drink Cuba Libre, but it is safe to say that Mojito is as popular. Mojito is a young drink and it’s hard to say who invented it. A bartending legend traces the birth of the Mojito to the famous Bodeguita del Medio (Cuban bar). The Mojito is a blend of sugar, mint leaves, lime juice, rum, ice and soda water, served in a highball glass and topped with a spring of mint. It’s extremely fresh and this special taste made the drink extremely popular in European countries too. The drink is particularly “hot” in France, Germany and Luxemburg: every club has Mojito on its “cocktail hour” list.

Here you’ll find another extremely refreshing drink based on rum and limejuice: caipirissima. This drink is erroneously called in these European countries Caipirinha. The truth is that in actual bartending, Caipirinha is made of sliced limes, sugar, cachaça (Pitú) and crushed ice. As cachaça is not very popular in many countries, so the bartenders replace it with white rum. What they (don’t tell you) don’t know is that the drink that uses rum instead of cachaça is called caipirissima and the drink that uses vodka to replace rum or cachaça is called caipirosca. But the customers of the bars don’t really mind. All of these drinks (caipirinha, caipirissima or caipirosca) are extremely tasty and refreshing. Hopefully, these bartending tips for hot summer nights will bring back the breeze and give you a taste of the exotic spirit of Mexico, Cuba, Portugal (which is the country that originated caipirinha) and Brazil (where caipirinha is the most popular).

One last bartending tip from the most experienced bartenders: although sweet and tasty, these are strong drinks: not recommended on an empty stomach and because of the mixture of sugar with alcohol, if you drink too many, you are in for a heavy headache. Handle with care!

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Bartending
(http://bartending-guideto.com/)

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending-for-Hot-Summer-Nights&id=597520

Learning Bartending With the Bartender Guide

2009-08-07T23:33:00.002+08:00

By Mike Selvon

Mixing drinks and coming up with new drink ideas can be an enjoyable hobby. Having a good bartender guide that will help give you new ideas and mixed drink recipes can be a very useful tool. Bartender guides are normally filled with numerous how-to guides and a variety of drink recipes that you can try and perfect at your leisure. You can be the life of your next house party when you mix up cocktails for your guests and show off your bartending talents.

There are many different bartending books available on the market. Some show how to mix a few cocktails and some that dive deep into how to mix many different varieties of exotic beverages. There are also a variety of guides available from individuals who have made up their own recipes and decided to market them.

Some may have drinks that you would have never thought of and others may contain variations on old favorites. The joy is in trying new things and possibly experimenting on your own cocktails. This can give you endless possibilities and allow for you to show off your bartending skills to your friends and family.

When you think of a bartender guide, you may only think of a list of mixed drink recipes that are popular today, but this is not the case. Other guides are available, some from specific bars themselves, which give information about what the bartender's precise duties are.

Some guides list what should be done during opening and closing of the bar, a list to check off and give to the manager to reorder certain items when they need to be replenished or other business information about the tavern or pub. This is a specific type of guide and gives valuable information to the employees of the establishment so that they can learn to complete certain tasks correctly.

Whether you are happy with being an at-home bartender or you aspire to hit the hot night spots to show off your bartending skills, a bartender guide is a huge help. You can learn to make drinks that will delight your friends and will even give you a leg up if you do decide to attend a bartending school and make a go at being a bartender.

For those who like to dabble in bartending as a hobby, after adding a few more recipes to their drink list, they just might decide that this could be a new career in the making. If so, then you can take your skills to a whole new level and it might just be the beginning of a whole new future.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Learning-Bartending-With-the-Bartender-Guide&id=1208875

Bartending Job Without Experience

2009-08-06T23:29:00.001+08:00

By Ray Sherman

Getting hired as a bartender without experience can seem difficult but if you really want to learn the position you can find a way. The first thing you must realize is that experience is absolutely necessary in a busy place. That is why most of the help wanted ads state experience necessary. There are good schools and courses available, and they do help a lot, but even if you scored 100% on your tests it still cannot beat hands on experience for this job.

In order to get hired as a bartender without experience you will likely have to start at a very slow place that consists mostly of pouring beer and mixing very basic drinks. Most neighborhoods have their share of these taverns where the bar has only 8-10stools and maybe a few tables. This may not be your most desirable place of employment but having even a few months on your resume at a place like this will give you a great advantage when applying at an establishment you truly desire to work for.

If you are an experienced waitress, that alone gives you an advantage and will certainly be looked at in a positive way by potential employers. If you have been serving alcohol as a waitress, even better. So if you are waitressing at a family restaurant where no alcohol is served and your true desire is to become a bartender, start looking for a job as a cocktail waitress or find a busy food restaurant that serves alcohol. You don't have to quit your steady job for now, just look into part time hours at the places serving alcohol. Simply serving the drinks will familiarize you with the different names and brands and will often be enough for a bar owner to hire you for "on the job training" as a bartender at a small tavern if you show enough enthusiasm and desire to learn when interviewed.

Other places you might try are small clubs such as the SOI, Eagles, American Legion, Owls, Moose and such. There is almost certainly at least one of these clubs near your area. (even if you've never noticed it!) You will likely want to find a small one. Some of these larger clubs can be quite busy and you would likely need experience for those. Some of the small ones are not too busy, low pressure and not too exciting. But still, you need experience! Check your phone book for locations as these places are easily overlooked in your daily travels. Look under clubs, taverns, restaurants and go in person to apply in the daytime. Don't wait for an ad in the paper. Often these places hire without ever running ads.

Bowling alleys are good too! Often a bowling alley will hire you with on the job training for the summer because it's very slow this time of year. But you will be learning and when fall hits you will be making a lot of money in tips because that's when the leagues start and the place goes from being practically dead to non stop action almost overnight! The trick here is to hang in there. You might think there is no future if you get hired in the summer but trust me when October hits you will be glad you stayed! And summer is likely your only chance of being hired with no experience.

When considering these places as potential employment, you should seek them out and apply or talk to someone in charge. Don't wait for an ad. Go in and explain that you are very interested in learning bartending and would love the opportunity to work there. Tell them you are a fast learner and be yourself. Be sure to go in during the day when it's not busy. Generally 2pm-4pm is very slow for most establishments serving food or alcohol and a great time to plan on going. So get going and start earning!

Bartending is an exciting and profitable job. What are you waiting for? Take action now by landing your first starter job. You'll learn the secrets to earn bigger tips and the experience will position you for many years of a profitable, rewarding career as a bartender! Visit http://earnbiggertips.blogspot.com/ to learn more about your exciting new career!

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending-Job-Without-Experience&id=2430025

Providing Good Bartending Service Requires Training

2009-08-05T23:25:00.002+08:00

By Mike Selvon

The bar you love is probably where you unwind after a stressful day at work. Your friendly bartender, with the amazing bartending service he provides, helps you throw off all your cares and worries. A lot of this ability comes from the bartender's skill, not just at mixing a superb cocktail but also at listening to what you have to say. A poor bartender will only add to your stress, not ease it. Bartending is a lot like being an artist; it takes a lot of skill to be any good.

Reputed bars and pubs the world over attribute much of their success to the quality and unique brand of their bartending services. Primarily, good bartending is the outcome of a sound training program, which was designed to impart knowledge in the mixing and serving of drinks. However, the range of drinks any particular bar offers will depend on the skill and experience of the barman or female bartender.

This service is offered by numerous catering establishments and also for special occasions - hotels, restaurants, bars, pubs, banquets, clubs, private parties or wedding receptions and even by many reputed airlines. Drinks mixed by bartenders range from those based on internationally recognized, mixed drink recipes and names, to the ones created exclusively by a resident bartender.

In many cases, the bartender must be skilled enough to create a drink based on the specific requests of patrons. There are special bartending training programs offered by several bartending schools or institutions and even by some reputed hotels around the world. Tending bar is a specialized profession and skilled bartenders are much sought after.

One of the main parts of a good bartending service is how well the bartender treats the customer. He or she should be sociable and friendly with each patron sitting at the bar. The bartender is the physical example of the relationship between the customer and the establishment.

In other words, the bartender is the public relations officer for his or her place of work. The barkeep has many other tasks as well, some of which include: knowing the alcohol in stock, knowing how to make all the drinks offered, keeping the bar supplied, and keeping track of the money spent at the bar. Knowledge of how to run the bar equipment is also a must.

The most important thing for a bartender to remember is to keep things clean. A professionally conducted bartending service is one of the greatest assets an establishment can have. When you next visit a bar or club, and while you're there enjoying yourself and having a few drinks, give the bartender a nod, because it's his skill and art that enables you to have a good time.

Learn more about bartending service training from Mike Selvon's backpacking portal, and leave a comment at our cocktails blog.

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Providing-Good-Bartending-Service-Requires-Training&id=1230634

Bartending - An In Demand Occupation

2009-08-04T21:18:00.001+08:00

After the Tom Cruise move “Cocktail” hit theaters, there was a surge in bartending careers. Movies like this one glamorize bartending by making life behind the bar seem like exciting nights where nothing goes wrong. The bartender always ends up with the best girl in the bar. The bar is always full of people yelling for more drinks. A bartender never has a moment free. In some bars, this is the case. In others, however, there is plenty of seating to go round and the action never gets started.

Depending on the personality of the bartender, this could be an ideal situation. There are the bars featured on the popular television show “Cheer”. Here the neighborhood bar is the place everyone meets up at the end of the day. The bartender is good friends with the patrons. Getting to know these individuals on a personal level is what makes bartending fulfilling for them. There is no need to be a hustle and bustle nightclub bartender. In this type of “Cheers” bar, the bartender takes a friendly approach to life behind the bar.

For the bartender craving excitement, there is the nightclub bar scene. Here, the night’s activities vary on the clientele. One night could see a crazy bachelor party and another night a girl’s night out group. Often times, a nightclub bartender will deal with drink specials, 2 for 1 night and other promotional pieces the nightclub might be running. There is also a higher demand for a varied drink mixing list. Nightclub bartenders need to be well versed in drink mixes. One never knows what type of drink a nightclub patron might have a taste for.

Whether choosing to bartend in a neighborhood bar or the hot spot night club, one thing remains the same; life behind the bar is never dull.

Written by Ant Onaf.
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Bartending---An-In-Demand-Occupation&id=737752

Should I Attend Online Bartending School?

2009-08-03T23:07:00.002+08:00

By Mark S Russell

If you have been thinking about bartending as a possible career move, you might have also thought about signing up for one of the many online bartending schools that have been popping up on the net.

Of all the jobs out there in the marketplace, one of the most fun and rewarding HANDS DOWN is that of bartending. You get to meet new people, hang out in an exciting and sometimes wild atmosphere, and make some great money to boot.

Hey, training for a new career online in the privacy of your own home sounds like a pretty good idea, right? Well, not exactly in the case of online bartending schools. While the flexibility and sometimes affordability of these online bartending schools sounds like a great solution, the fact is, you may wind up far less qualified than you'd hoped for.

You see, bartending, of ALL the jobs you could ever get, is a social affair. To help clarify that a bit, I mean you will be around PEOPLE every second you are at work. In the case of the busiest and most hopping nightspots, you will be around A LOT of people... yelling orders at you, tossing you tips, asking you to make drink after drink after drink. This environment can get pretty stressful and if your only education comes from a computer screen, you may quickly realize that the online bartending school DEAL that you just got, wasn't such a great deal after all.

Now, let's look at traditional classroom style bartending schools for a minute. What makes them so much better than their online counterparts? Well, for one, you are not dealing with virtual liquor...you are pouring the REAL STUFF! Nothing takes the place of actual experience no matter what career you are talking about and spending time mixing and pouring actual drinks will trump learning their recipes online ANY day.

In fact, for many people, true ingrained memories are not created simply by memorizing, they occur when DOING something physically.

Aside from just the physicality of the mixing and pouring, there is dealing with the customers. In a classroom bartending session, the instructors can arrange a mock bar setting and train you to deal with a busy if not unruly environment. They will get your skills up to speed so that you can handle just about ANY situation.

This type of training will be INVALUABLE as you work to make your name in the world ot top class bartenders. The reality of the situation will hit you soon enough when you are behind bar...what kind of training will you have?

While online bartending schools might sound like the easy route to take, if you are serious about securing a high paying bartending job, the in-depth training and track record of a physical classroom setting will surely put you ahead of the online drink slingers.

I run a bartending school in Baltimore, MD - if you're interested in becoming a bartender, please visit: http://www.marylandbartending.com

Take a free introductory class to learn everything you want to know about bartending school:
http://www.marylandbartending.com/free-bartending-classes-maryland.html

article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Should-I-Attend-Online-Bartending-School?&id=2642102

What it Takes to be a Bartender

2009-08-02T23:03:00.001+08:00

by Joey Pebble

A bar tender, as most people know, is somebody who serves beverages to patrons from behind a bar. These drinks are often alcoholic, although most restaurants have a bartender of some sort that provides all beverages, soft drinks, etc for the restaurant. When a bartender is called a barkeep, it usually signifies that they are the owner of the establishment, and not just an employee.

There are a lot of different types of bartenders, and the duties that are expect of one will depend on the type of establishment that they work in. In some restaurants, the bartender is all but invisible, working behind the scenes to fulfill drink orders for customers. In other places, the bartender is the center of attention, providing entertainment in the form of jokes, tricks, and bottle juggling. There are also jobs which fall all along the gradients in between the two extremes.

In places where the bartender is visible, they usually serve as the public image of the entire establishment. This usually means that a strict formal attire of some sort is required for the position.

A bartender can also serve to set the tempo of a restaurant or bar. This is done through interactions with the customers, and requires a person to be outgoing and friendly. Aside from providing drinks, the bar tender is also responsible for making sure patrons have beverage coasters, that the bar top is kept neat and tidy, and that the appearance of the entire establishment is maintained.

Aside from activities having to do directly with the bar, a bartender should also be able to provide directions to nearby locations, recommendations for other night life outside of the bar, and a ready repertoire of trivia, jokes, and humorous stories.

While some states require that a bartender receive certification, most don't. You can check with your local state officials for details about your specific location. Even if a certificate is not required, it may still be a good idea to attend a bartending class, in order to become more familiar with drink recipes and the bar in general.

This article was written by style philosopher Joey Pebble. If you are looking for an attractive set of bar coasters, you might want to consider the naturally absorbent sandstone coasters that are produced and distributed by http://coasters.PebbleZ.com

source:
http://www.ideamarketers.com/?bar_drink_coasters&articleid=509035